On Saturday morning, a small Piper PA‑30 twin‑engine propeller plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean just off the coast of Boca Raton. The accident occurred at approximately 10:40 a.m. local time, about two miles east of Boca Raton Airport, according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesperson Cassandra Nolan.
Flight details and emergency response
The aircraft, registered to USOARFlorida LLC in Fort Myers, departed from Page Field in Fort Myers with a destination of South Bimini Airport in the Bahamas. While en route, the pilot requested clearance to land at Boca Raton Airport. Shortly after, an emergency was declared, prompting Boca Raton Ocean Rescue to retrieve the pilot from the water.
Boca Raton Police Marine Unit and the U.S. Coast Guard remained on scene while the FAA dispatched investigators. Local authorities asked the public to avoid the area surrounding 250 S. Ocean Blvd., near West Palmetto Park Road, as safety and recovery operations continued.
Witness accounts
Residents nearby observed the crash. Maria Marks, who was at South Beach Park with her child, said, “One second I’m spraying sunscreen on my kid. The next I’m looking up and saying, ‘is that supposed to be happening.'” Robert Taplinger, a homeowner on Ocean Boulevard, noted that the plane appeared largely intact as it hit the water, though only the tail remained visible later as recovery crews prepared to tow the wreckage.
Aircraft background
The Piper PA‑30 series was manufactured between 1961 and 1972 and typically seats four to six passengers. The specific tail number involved in this incident is registered to a Fort Myers‑based company, but the FAA has not released further details pending the investigation.
Medical and safety outcome
The pilot, the only person aboard, suffered no injuries and was transported to a local hospital for precautionary evaluation. No other casualties were reported.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash. Updates will be provided as the FAA completes its preliminary report.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
