FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Three people believed to be onboard a twin-engine plane were killed when the plane crashed shortly after departing Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport on Friday afternoon, according to city of Fort Lauderdale officials.
The plane crashed at 964 NE 53rd Court, an area east of the airport, about 4:23 p.m. Roadways were shut down near the area.
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Fort Lauderdale officials reported the plane as a Cheyenne 2 twin engine turbo prop plane; the Federal Aviation Administration said it was a Piper PA-31 Navajo.
According to the FAA, the plane departed Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport at 4:20 p.m. and crashed.
Fort Lauderdale spokesman Matt Little said the plane took off, banked right, and crashed into several parked vehicles. He believes the plane is Fort Lauderdale based.
A woman said her husband, who works at the airport, saw the plane depart, then saw smoke minutes later. Several witnesses described the plane falling out of the sky like a stone.
Dozens of firefighters were there dousing the area in foam used to extinguish fires sparked by jet fuel. Several vehicles were on fire.
A man who works for UK Stone, a business inside the warehouse, said he heard a loud bang and saw 50-foot flames.
A propeller was seen in the parking lot.
Little said no one on the ground was injured.
A large plume of black smoke could be seen in the area.