CLEARWATER, Fla. – A tragic incident unfolded in a Clearwater mobile home park as a small plane crashed, causing a fire that engulfed several units, ultimately claiming the lives of three individuals. The Clearwater Police Department confirmed that the crash resulted in the deaths of one crew member on the plane and two people on the ground.
The unfortunate event occurred at the Bayside Waters community, prompting an immediate response from emergency crews. According to reports from the FAA, the pilot had issued a distress call to St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport shortly before the plane vanished from radar, approximately 3 miles north of a runway.
The aircraft involved in the crash was identified as a single-piston Beechcraft 35 Bonanza, which had departed from Vero Beach Regional Airport and was scheduled to land at the small Clearwater Air Park. The flight’s trajectory was abruptly altered by the tragic turn of events, leaving a devastating impact on the mobile home park.
A 72-year-old resident described experiencing the harrowing effects of the crash firsthand, as the force of the impact threw him to the floor, enveloped in insulation and broken glass. The destructive force of the small plane’s impact tore through his mobile home and destroyed the neighboring trailer, underscoring the magnitude of the tragedy.
The community is reeling from the loss of life and the devastation caused by the crash, as investigations and support efforts commence to address the aftermath of the incident. The forthcoming inquiries aim to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the crash and provide closure and support for the families affected by this heartbreaking event.