Two Lives Lost in Florida Plane Crash During Hurricane Relief Mission

A small plane on a hurricane relief mission to Jamaica crashed into a pond in Coral Springs, Florida, on November 11, 2023, resulting in the deaths of two individuals shortly after takeoff. The incident occurred just minutes after the Beechcraft King Air took off from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport at approximately 10:14 a.m. Local authorities confirmed the fatalities but have not yet released further details about the victims.

The Coral Springs Police Department stated that emergency crews responded within minutes of the crash, which was reported at 10:19 a.m. Despite immediate rescue efforts, no victims were found initially, prompting a shift to a recovery operation. Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department Deputy Chief Mike Moser indicated that crews discovered debris near the retention pond but noted that no homes were damaged.

Witness Kenneth DeTrolio recounted the moment the plane crashed, stating that it flew through his backyard before landing in the water, destroying his fence and uprooting palm trees. He described the strong smell of fuel that contaminated his pool and back porch, saying it took hours for the odor to dissipate in his home.

“We heard the strangest sound. I never heard anything like it before, and apparently that was when this plane must have flown between my home and my neighbor’s house,” DeTrolio shared with local media.

Local authorities have advised residents that police presence will remain significant in the area as investigators work to collect evidence and determine the cause of the crash. The small aircraft, manufactured in 1976, is registered to International Air Services, a company that facilitates aircraft registration for non-U.S. citizens. When contacted, a representative from the company declined to comment on the incident.

The Beechcraft King Air had recently completed several trips to Jamaica within the past week, according to data from the flight tracking website FlightAware. It had traveled between George Town in the Cayman Islands and multiple destinations in Jamaica, making its last landing in Fort Lauderdale on November 10.

This tragic incident occurred in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2023. The hurricane, classified as a Category 5 storm, caused extensive damage across the Caribbean, impacting over 120,000 structures and affecting approximately 90,000 families in Jamaica’s western region. Following the hurricane, relief organizations mobilized to provide assistance to those in need.

As recovery efforts continue in Coral Springs, federal aviation officials have announced that they will investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. The community awaits further updates as investigators work diligently to uncover the details of this tragic event.