Pilot unable to see runway before deadly crash into Clearwater mobile home park: report
Video above: Aerial footage shows aftermath of deadly Clearwater plane crash
CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) –– The National Transportation Safety Board released additional details surrounding the devasting plane crash that killed three people at a Clearwater mobile home park last month.
According to the report released Tuesday, the pilot of the plane could not see the runway at Clearwater Airpark, even though the runway lights were turned up to their “highest intensity.”
VIDEO: Aerial footage shows aftermath of deadly Clearwater plane crash
Two witnesses at the airpark said they heard the pilot state he “could not find the airport” and asked them to turn on the runway lights, which were already on since an airplane had just landed.
The witnesses said they later heard the pilot say that he had a “fire.” The airplane’s location was unknown at that time, according to the NSTB.
After the pilot said he couldn’t see the airport, the controller told him he was “1 mile south of CLW” and asked if he could turn to 180 degrees to maintain the present altitude.
Then, the pilot told the controller he was “losing engine,” and the controller asked if he could see St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, which was approximately three miles ahead of him, but the pilot never responded, according to the report.
First responders honored for efforts after deadly Clearwater plane crash
Around that time, a pilot nearby reported seeing the plane take a nosedive, which he described as “like an uncontrolled descent,” adding that while the airplane was going down, he saw a “very bright light” descending very fast.
A witness in a car just northwest of the accident reported seeing the airplane fly ahead and did not hear any sound but saw a “fireball” or something airborne on fire before the impact.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane involved was a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza V35. The pilot reported engine failure before the plane crashed.
“I heard a loud swoosh sound, and I looked up into the sky. and I saw a small plane go over,” resident Rachelle Roach said. “I saw a plane go into some of our units, and I heard a large pop, then the explosion, then fire. All the neighbors that were around said, ‘Call 911.'”
The plane ended up crashing into the Bayside Waters mobile home park.
Clearwater plane crash: Bystanders capture fiery aftermath of collision
Clearwater officials said as many as nine people were in the mobile home that was struck by the plane. However, only two remained inside when the crash occurred.
The two people and the pilot were killed in the crash.
Authorities identified the on-the-ground victims as 68-year-old Martha Parry of Clearwater and Mary Ellen Pender, 54, of Treasure Island. Pender was visiting the home at the time. The pilot was identified as 54-year-old Jemin Patel of Melbourne Beach.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
