Plane on Hurricane Mission Down in Coral Springs
A small twin-turboprop plane heading to Jamaica with hurricane relief supplies crashed Monday morning in Coral Springs. The aircraft was destined for Montego Bay to assist victims of Hurricane Melissa when it went down shortly after takeoff.
The Crash and Immediate Response
The Beechcraft King Air departed Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport at 10:14 a.m. and crashed about six minutes later in a pond near Northwest 57th Way. Emergency crews arrived within minutes and began searching for survivors in the murky water.
Rescue teams worked under difficult conditions, but by late morning, officials shifted to a recovery operation. “Our divers are continuing their efforts,” said a Coral Springs Police spokesperson. “At this stage, we believe this is a recovery, not a rescue.”
Witness Accounts
Residents described a terrifying scene. “I heard the engine sputtering,” said local resident Jason Alvarez. “Then came a loud splash and pieces flying into the air.”
The plane clipped a palm tree, broke through a fence, and crashed into the pond. Although some properties sustained minor damage, no nearby residents were hurt.
Aircraft and Mission Details
FAA records show the downed aircraft was a 1976 Beechcraft King Air owned by International Air Services, Inc. of Carson City, Nevada. The flight carried supplies for communities in Jamaica recovering from Hurricane Melissa.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica in late October as a Category 5 storm, devastating homes and infrastructure. Local charities and diaspora groups from South Florida have been flying relief missions since the storm hit.
Community Reaction
Broward County Commissioner Denise Grant expressed sadness over the crash. “These were people on a mission of hope,” she said. “They were trying to help families in crisis, and we mourn this loss deeply.”
Police closed Creekside Drive between Northwest 66th Terrace and Northwest 53rd Drive to give recovery teams space to operate. Emergency vehicles lined the streets as divers continued working into the afternoon.
Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board took charge of the investigation with help from the FAA and local police. Officials have not released the names of those on board until families are notified.
Authorities urged residents to avoid the area during recovery efforts. As Broward County absorbs the tragedy, community leaders say the crash underscores both the risks of humanitarian work and the solidarity between South Florida and the Caribbean during times of need.
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