A tiny plane crashed into a mobile home in Bayside Estates, Clearwater, Florida, on Thursday night (February 1st), leaving a trail of devastation that took numerous lives and sparked a ferocious fire that devoured surrounding homes.
What happened?
During a late-night press conference, Clearwater Fire & Rescue Chief Scott Ehlers acknowledged the loss of multiple lives, both on the ill-fated Plane and in the mobile home.
The exact toll of this catastrophe is unknown as of yet. However, according to a CBS News story, emergency responders worked relentlessly.
“I can confirm we have several fatalities, both from the aircraft and within the mobile home,” Ehlers added.
He added that the aircraft struck a single residence, causing significant damage, but that the resulting fire also affected at least two other homes.
“We’re still working to make sure that there is no additional, and it’s limited to what we do know right now.”
The crash occurred around 7:08 p.m. local time.
Chief Ehlers went on to say, “The crews did a phenomenal job of getting the fire knocked down quickly.”
He stated that the crew was still working to put out the remaining hot spots and reach victims in the impacted areas.
Engine Failure
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) eventually identified the crashed plane as a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza V35.
The FAA confirmed that the pilot reported an “engine failure” prior to the terrible crash.
“During that conversation with the air tower, the air tower lost them off the radar about three miles north of the runway,” Ehlers added.
