Plane Carrying Hurricane Relief Supplies to Jamaica Crashes in Coral Springs, Killing Two

Authorities confirmed that two people were killed Monday morning after a small Beechcraft King Air turboprop plane crashed into a residential neighborhood pond in Coral Springs, Florida, shortly after taking off from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport.

The aircraft was reportedly on a hurricane relief mission to Jamaica, carrying supplies to assist victims of Hurricane Melissa, the Category 5 storm that devastated the Caribbean island late last month.

The Coral Springs Police Department and Coral Springs–Parkland Fire Department responded within minutes of the crash, which occurred around 10:19 a.m. near a gated community off Coral Ridge Drive.

According to Deputy Fire Chief Mike Moser, emergency crews arrived to find debris scattered across a retention pond and nearby yards. No homes were struck, though fences, trees, and property in the immediate area sustained damage.

“There was no actual plane to be seen,” Moser explained. “They followed the debris trail to the water. We had divers that entered the water and tried to search for any victims and didn’t find any.”

The search later shifted from a rescue to a recovery operation as officials confirmed the deaths of both occupants on board.

Local resident Kenneth DeTrolio, whose backyard borders the pond where the aircraft crashed, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel that the plane “came right through my fence” before slamming into the water.

“We heard the strangest sound — I never heard anything like it before,” he said. “Apparently that was when this plane must have flown between my home and my neighbor’s house.”

The crash destroyed several palm trees, broke through a backyard fence, and left a strong smell of jet fuel lingering for hours. Debris, including small aircraft parts, was found floating in DeTrolio’s pool and scattered across his property.

Authorities said the fuel contamination was significant enough to require environmental cleanup in the days ahead.

Officials have not yet released the identities of the two people killed. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the downed aircraft was a 1976 Beechcraft King Air, a twin-engine turboprop capable of seating up to 12 passengers.

The plane was registered to International Air Services, a company that provides FAA registration trust agreements for non-U.S. aircraft owners. A representative for the company declined to comment on the crash.

Flight data from FlightAware shows that the same aircraft had completed multiple trips between Florida, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands over the past week — all part of apparent humanitarian supply efforts following Hurricane Melissa.

The flight’s intended destination was Montego Bay, Jamaica, carrying relief supplies coordinated by Caribbean community leaders and Florida-based organizations mobilizing in the wake of the storm’s destruction.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on October 28, tying for the strongest landfalling Atlantic hurricane on record. Sustained winds above 165 mph ripped through the island, destroying homes, infrastructure, and farmland across western Jamaica.

Local authorities estimated that the storm damaged or destroyed over 120,000 structures, displaced more than 90,000 families, and left thousands still living in shelters a week after the storm.

Melissa went on to cause widespread devastation in Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, prompting a large-scale humanitarian response from governments and nonprofits across the region.

Florida’s large Caribbean diaspora — particularly in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties — has been at the forefront of relief efforts, collecting and delivering essential supplies such as food, medicine, generators, and building materials.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash, with assistance from local and state authorities.

Investigators will examine several key factors, including:

• The aircraft’s maintenance and safety history
• Potential mechanical failure or engine malfunction
• Weather and flight conditions at the time of takeoff
• Pilot experience and flight plan authorization

According to preliminary information, the King Air took off from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport at approximately 10:14 a.m., and crashed less than five minutes later — suggesting the plane may have experienced a catastrophic failure soon after departure.

Coral Springs Police said a significant law enforcement and cleanup presence will remain in the area for several days as evidence is collected and debris is safely removed.

Legal and Safety Implications

Aviation crashes involving small humanitarian or private aircraft often raise questions about maintenance oversight, pilot certification, and operational safety compliance.

While commercial airlines are tightly regulated under FAA Part 121, smaller private and charter aircraft — such as the Beechcraft King Air — typically operate under Part 91 or Part 135, which have different safety and inspection requirements.

Common contributing factors in small plane crashes include:

• Engine failure or mechanical malfunction
• Pilot fatigue or error during takeoff or climb
• Overloading or uneven weight distribution of cargo
• Insufficient pre-flight inspection
• Weather-related visibility or turbulence issues

When fatalities occur, families may have legal recourse under Florida wrongful death laws and federal aviation regulations, depending on the cause of the crash and ownership structure of the aircraft.

The Role of Aviation Wrongful Death Attorneys

Families affected by aviation tragedies face immense emotional and financial hardship. Determining liability in small aircraft crashes can be complex, often involving multiple entities — from aircraft owners and maintenance contractors to insurance carriers and flight organizers.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm, our attorneys represent victims and families in aviation disaster cases throughout Florida and internationally. We work with aviation experts to uncover the truth behind each crash and hold negligent parties accountable.

Our firm has extensive experience handling:

• Private and charter plane crashes
• Helicopter accidents
• Air ambulance incidents
• Mid-air collisions
• Pilot and maintenance negligence claims
• Wrongful death lawsuits involving FAA and NTSB investigations

Contact a Florida Aviation Accident Lawyer

If your loved one was injured or killed in a plane crash in Florida or while participating in a humanitarian mission abroad, contact Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm for a free consultation.

Our aviation attorneys can guide you through the complex process of federal investigations, insurance claims, and wrongful death litigation.

📞 Call (305) 638-4143 or contact us online to speak with a Florida aviation lawyer today.

We handle every case with compassion, precision, and dedication — ensuring that families get the justice and closure they deserve.