Pilot dies in Boynton Beach plane crash

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – A Grumman American AA-5 crashed on Friday afternoon in Boynton Beach after departing from the Palm Beach County Park/Lantana Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Boynton Beach police officers responded to a 1:16 p.m. 911 call and found a person dead in the wreckage at the Dos Lagos gated community.

Eddie Bean said he was fishing in a nearby canal when he saw the small yellow plane going into a tailspin.

“I thought he was doing like tricks,” Bean said.

Boynton Beach Commissioner Ty Penserga said the pilot of the plane was killed after crashing into a tree near a home’s swimming pool on the east side of Congress Avenue and north of Gateway Boulevard. Nicole Mejias lives in the neighborhood.

“My prayers go out to that family,” Mejias said.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the fatal plane crash.


About the Authors:

Christian De La Rosa joined Local 10 News in April 2017 after spending time as a reporter and anchor in Atlanta, San Diego, Orlando and Panama City Beach.

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.