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 about 4:23 p.m. just east of the airport. Roadways were shut down near the area.
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Fort Lauderdale officials reported the plane was a Cheyenne II twin-engine turboprop 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.