BOCA RATON, Fla. — Three people aboard a small plane were killed after the aircraft crashed Friday morning in Boca Raton near the city's airport, fire rescue officials said. One person on the ground was also hurt but is expected to survive their injuries.
The Cessna 310 went down at about 10:20 a.m. on Military Trail near Glades Road after departing the airport, according to the FAA.
WATCH BELOW: 3 killed in Boca Raton plane crash
On Friday night, Boca Raton police identified the deceased victims as Robert Stark, 81, of Boca Raton; Stephen Stark, 54, of Delray Beach and Brooke Stark, 17, also from Delray Beach.
Police did not say who was piloting the aircraft, only listing all three as passengers.
The FAA said the plane was headed to Tallahassee International Airport when it crashed, sending a thick plume of black smoke into the air.
DRIVER SURVIVES CRASH, FIREBALL
During an afternoon news conference, Boca Raton Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Michael LaSalle said dispatch received a call at about 10:12 a.m. "for a plane in trouble."
"The aircraft apparently had some mechanical issues and went down here on Military Trail," LaSalle said.
Fire Rescue said the driver on the ground was injured after hitting a tree because of debris and fire caused by the crash.
"It's non-life-threatening injuries. We treated him and sent him to the hospital," LaSalle said. "He drove through, apparently, the fireball."
WATCH BELOW: Fire rescue confirms 3 killed in plane crash
Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer shared his condolences during the news conference.
"We express our heartbreak at this tragic loss of life," Singer said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and all affected of the deceased."
WPTV spoke to the driver, identified as Pablo Tafur of Boca Raton, who was thankful to be alive after he said he drove through debris and flames.
Tafur, 24, said he was driving his white Toyota Prius when he crashed and suffered first-degree burns on his arm.
A photo from a WPTV viewer showed Tafur's car was heavily charred after hitting the tree.
The plane crash scattered debris across the road and the nearby train tracks.
Aerial pictures showed multiple first responders at the scene shortly after the crash.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash. The NTSB will lead the investigation.
TROUBLE STRUCK SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF
During a Friday evening news conference, NTSB investigator Kurt Gibson said data indicated the plane was in the air "approximately eight to 10 minutes" from the time it took off before it crashed.
The plane was built in 1977, but Gibson described the Cessna 310 as having a "very long history of being a safe aircraft."
At this time, Gibson was not aware of any mechanical failure with the plane.
WATCH BELOW: NTSB holds news conference on fatal plane crash
"The three things we always look at are the pilot, we're going to look at his pilot qualifications, his 72-hour history, anything else that might be going on in his life," Gibson said. "We're going to be looking at the aircraft, we're going to be looking at the maintenance records. We're going to be going through the wreckage in detail."
The NTSB said they expected to be at the scene for "a couple of days." Once all of the wreckage is gathered, Gibson said it would be taken to a salvage facility in Jacksonville for analysis.
A preliminary report on the NTSB's investigation will be released in about 30 days, with a final report being released in one to two years.
“A situation like this, there's going to be PTSD in the family members, friends, relatives. It just goes with the course,” Boca Raton resident and pilot Harold Pitts told WPTV's Michael Hoffman. “It’s sad.”
NTSB officials urged any witnesses with doorbell video of the crash to contact them at witness@ntsb.gov.
ROAD CLOSURES; TRI-RAIL AFFECTED
Boca Raton police said N. Military Trail between Northwest 19th Street and Butts Road will remain closed overnight.
"Road closures will remain into the foreseeable future," Boca Raton police said in a social media post.
Tri-Rail service is also being impacted because of debris on the tracks.
South Florida Regional Transportation Authority Executive Director David Dech said all rail traffic was stopped between the Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach stations.
A bus bridge was set up between the two stations to maintain service, but train service would likely experience delays, "likely for the rest of the day," Tri-Rail officials said.
Drivers are urged to avoid the area.
"I am incredibly grateful to the first responders, law enforcement officers, and emergency personnel who arrived with urgency and bravery at the scene. Their swift action helped prevent further tragedy in an unthinkable situation. The loss of life in such a sudden and violent manner is heartbreaking, and my thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected," state Sen. Lori Berman, D-Boca Raton, said in a statement.
The plane crashed near Boca Raton High School, slowing access to the school much of the afternoon. School officials said all students and staff were safe.
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