7 Hospitalized After Single-Engine Plane Crashes Near Lantana Airport in Lake Worth Beach

A terrifying moment unfolded in Lake Worth Beach Monday afternoon when a single-engine aircraft crash-landed just blocks from Palm Beach County Park Airport (Lantana Airport), striking a moving vehicle and injuring several individuals.

According to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, the crash occurred around 4:30 p.m. near Lake Osborne Drive and Cochran Drive, when an Orlican M8 Eagle plane, carrying a pilot and one passenger, lost control and went down in a residential area. The plane skimmed the roof of a vehicle carrying a family before coming to a violent stop on a nearby walking path.

Initial reports from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office indicate that the plane may have clipped a palm tree at 3820 Lake Osborne Drive while descending. It then collided with a moving car containing an adult and four children, before slamming into the ground just feet from a residential lake and pedestrian path.

Despite the intensity of the impact, no fire or major fuel leak was reported at the scene — a fortunate detail that likely prevented further harm to the public and environment.

Emergency responders transported a total of seven individuals to local hospitals:

• The pilot and passenger were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center.
• The driver and four child passengers in the vehicle were all transported to a nearby hospital as a precaution. No serious injuries have been reported for any of them so far.

Witnesses at the scene noted that both the pilot and passenger were able to exit the aircraft on their own prior to rescue crews arriving.

At approximately 5:15 p.m., the scene was officially turned over to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), who will determine the exact cause of the crash. Early indications suggest possible engine trouble or miscalculated descent may have played a role.

The Orlican M8 Eagle is a lesser-known single-engine aircraft, often used by private pilots and hobbyists. Its safety record is under review in light of this accident.

This crash raises important questions about aviation liability and vehicle occupant rights in the event of a plane accident involving people on the ground.

Potential areas of legal concern include:

• Pilot Negligence: If pilot error contributed to the crash, victims in the car may have grounds to pursue compensation through the pilot’s insurance or estate.
• Aircraft Maintenance Failures: If a mechanical failure led to the crash, the plane’s manufacturer or maintenance provider could bear some liability.
• Injury Claims for Children: The presence of minors in the vehicle introduces added complexity, including long-term monitoring for trauma or delayed injuries.

If you or a loved one was injured in this crash or a similar aviation incident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, emotional trauma, property damage, and more.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent victims of aviation accidents, vehicle collisions, and other catastrophic events across Florida. Whether you were injured on the ground or in the air, our experienced personal injury attorneys can help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.