A tragic incident unfolded on Thursday evening in Clearwater, Florida, as a small plane crashed into a mobile home park, resulting in multiple casualties and setting homes ablaze, according to officials.
The exact number of fatalities remained unclear as firefighters battled hot spots and worked to reach the victims following the crash around 7 p.m. Clearwater Fire Chief Scott Ehlers reported that the plane had largely impacted one residence.
Confirming several fatalities from both the aircraft and the mobile home, Chief Ehlers stated that the extent of the tragedy was evident at the scene. Police Chief Eric Gandy also acknowledged visually confirmed deaths.
At least three homes suffered fire damage, with occupants of homes beyond the direct impact zone managing to evacuate, as mentioned by Chief Ehlers. The Beechcraft Bonanza V35 pilot had signaled an engine failure to the Federal Aviation Administration before the crash.
Helicopter footage from a local affiliate in Tampa displayed a debris-strewn field, including fragments of what seemed to be a house. Firefighters, illuminated by flashlights, worked amid the smoke, directing water from hoses onto one structure.
The National Transportation Safety Board will conduct an investigation into the crash, as announced by the FAA. The pilot had issued a distress call at a nearby airport, disappearing from radar approximately 3 miles north of the runway, coinciding with the location of the mobile home park, according to Chief Ehlers.
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Considering the compact residential area, Chief Ehlers expressed anticipation of additional injuries and damage, emphasizing the community’s fortunate circumstances in light of the tragic plane crash.
