Fiery apocalyptic scene of plane crash as 'distraught' witness hears 'boom'

02 February 2024 , 12:02

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Fiery apocalyptic scene of plane crash as 'distraught' witness hears 'boom'

A "shooting star" plane that crashed into a mobile home park killing three people has left a neighbourhood "distraught" - after witnesses heard a terrifying "boom."

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed a single-piston Beechcraft 35 Bonanza plane had taken off from Vero Beach Regional Airport at 6.08pm local time on Thursday and crashed in a mobile home park in Clearwater, Florida, a suburb of St. Petersburg and Tampa.

Clearwater Fire Chief Scott Ehlers said the plane hit one mobile home, which caused the fire to spread to three other homes. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed three had died including the pilot who died on impact after reporting an engine failure.

READ MORE: Clearwater plane crash: Aircraft smashes into Florida homes in 'mass casualty event'

The devastation to a mobile home park caused by the plane crash

Neighbour Noreen Adams, who lives on the street, exclusively told The Mirror the plane crashed on her street after she heard a gigantic "boom" as firefighters rushed to the scene just after 7pm.

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Dramatic video circulating online shows white smoke billowing from the wreckage while witnesses reported multiple mobile homes on fire, with firefighters from different jurisdictions helping in the aftermath. She said: "We have 400 units (of mobile home parks) but we are a very close-knit community. My neighbours are distraught.

The plane smashed into a number of mobile homes, many of which appear to have been crushed to the ground or set completely light (Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department /Twitter)

"(The crash) was on my street as we were on the bay facing the Tampa and were in the flight path of a size aircraft. I live four houses away from the site and within walking distance of the bay. I heard a boom and then smoke and fire engines."

The Clearwater Police Department was on the scene by 7.15pm when the crash occurred. The Clearwater Fire Chief Scott Ehlers said at a press conference the aircraft crashed into one trailer with three others catching fire as a result.

A huge 'bang' could be heard, according to witnesses

The pilot died following the crash (@stevenascari/Twitter)

Witnesses said multiple mobile homes were on fire and firefighters had crossed jurisdiction lines to help in the aftermath. While putting petrol into her car at the neighboring Costco, witness Laketa Collins said she saw a white light fall "like a shooting star."

"I noticed as it was coming down, it was just a solid white ball, just coming down, it didn't dim or nothing," Collins said.

The single-piston Beechcraft 35 Bonanza plane had taken off from Vero Beach Regional Airport

The Federal Aviation Administration stated it would investigate the tragic incident on its website shortly after the news of the devastating crash surfaced. The crash led to a partial closure of U.S. Highway 19 due to its proximity to the crash site, affecting local traffic.

"The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate," it wrote. "The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide any updates." Fire chief Ehlers said that identifying the victims would be a “tedious task” because of the severe damage to the bodies and the plane.

Liam Buckler