Three People Killed After Cessna 310 Plane Crashes Into Car and Erupts in Flames Near Boca Raton Airport; North Military Trail Shut Down as FAA and NTSB Launch Full Investigation
BOCA RATON, FL — April 12, 2025 — A tragic plane crash on Friday morning claimed the lives of three people and temporarily shut down one of Boca Raton’s busiest roads. Authorities say a twin-engine Cessna 310 crashed shortly after takeoff from the Boca Raton Airport, slamming into a vehicle on North Military Trail and erupting into flames in a horrifying chain of events caught on camera.
Crash Details
The aircraft went down just after 10:20 a.m. near the intersection of North Military Trail and NW 40th Street, a few miles northeast of the airport. Witnesses described a low-flying plane appearing to struggle in the air before crashing into the roadway, striking a car and bursting into a fireball.
Surveillance and cell phone video captured the moment the plane came down, showing massive plumes of smoke rising above the crash site. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, where they found the wreckage of the plane engulfed in flames and debris scattered across the road and nearby railroad tracks.
Victims and Injuries
All three occupants of the aircraft were killed in the crash. As of Saturday morning, the victims have not yet been identified pending next-of-kin notification.
The driver of the vehicle that was struck, 24-year-old Pablo Tafur of Boca Raton, survived the crash but suffered first-degree burns to his arm. Tafur reportedly drove through the debris and flames in an attempt to escape, ultimately pulling over and being rescued by bystanders and emergency crews. He is expected to recover.
Investigation Underway
Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading the investigation. Preliminary findings suggest the pilot reported mechanical trouble shortly after takeoff. The plane circled the area for several minutes before attempting what may have been an emergency landing attempt on the roadway.
“The aircraft was airborne for approximately 8 to 10 minutes,” said NTSB investigator Joshua Green during a press conference Friday afternoon. “Our team is working to recover the flight recorder and interview witnesses to piece together exactly what happened.”
Community Impact
The crash caused significant disruption in the Boca Raton area. North Military Trail remained closed for several hours, while Tri-Rail services were temporarily suspended in the vicinity due to debris on the tracks. A bus bridge was established to transport passengers between the Deerfield Beach and Boca Raton stations.
Mayor Scott Singer expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and praised first responders for their quick actions in managing the aftermath.
“This is a deeply heartbreaking day for our city,” said Mayor Singer. “Our thoughts are with the victims’ families and those affected by this tragedy. We will continue to support investigators as they work to determine what went wrong.”
Ongoing Concerns
This incident has renewed discussions about safety around small regional airports and emergency protocols in urban areas. Community members have expressed concern about the close proximity of residential neighborhoods and busy roads to the Boca Raton Airport’s flight paths.
“I saw it come down and felt the ground shake,” said local resident Ana Morales, who witnessed the crash. “It could have hit any one of us. It was terrifying.”
Looking Ahead
As the FAA and NTSB continue their investigation, officials urge anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant video footage to come forward. More information, including the identities of the deceased, is expected to be released in the coming days.