A small plane encountered difficulties during an attempted landing, leading to a tragic incident where at least three individuals lost their lives. The plane veered off course and missed the runway, colliding with a passing car before erupting into flames.

The crash happened in Boca Raton, Florida, shortly after 10am local time Friday and involved a Cessna 310R.

Boca News Now said the plane began suffering mechanical issues shortly after take-off from the city’s airport for a flight to Tallahassee.

It began an emergency landing around 10:17am and airport emergency services were put on alert.

Instead of reaching the designated runway, the aircraft’s path intersected with that of a car on a nearby road. The collision was so intense that it pushed the car onto nearby railroad tracks, where the plane then burst into a massive fireball.

Two bodies were seen in wreckage by news crews flying overhead in helicopters.  

Boca News Now confirmed that all three people aboard the plane died. It is unclear if those in the car struck by the plane sustained any injuries.  

Grim footage showed a road ablaze with balls of fire and smoke rising into the sky as sirens screamed.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the exact number of fatalities, the identities of the deceased, or any initial theories regarding the cause of the tragic plane crash.

Residents of the area have been sharing images of the cloud of smoke coming from the crash site. 

Boca Raton sits just 25 miles south of President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago beach club in Palm Beach. 

The airport has become increasingly popular with visitors to the club and those connected to Trump, as new security measures at Palm Beach airport have made it more difficult to use. 

A witness wrote on X: ‘Possible plane crash right outside my office today. Shook the whole building. Unfortunately I’m certain lives were lost here today. 

‘Thoughts and prayers to anyone who survived and the families of those who didn’t. If you’re in Boca stay away from military trail near the glades overpass.’

Footage shared by the witness showed several small fires in the crash site. 

Police and fire crews have closed the area and railroad as they manage the situation. 

Fire officials have since put the fires down, according to local media.

The plane reportedly experienced mechanical issues before it plunged to the ground. 

Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer said in a statement: ‘We are deeply saddened to confirm that a plane crash occurred earlier today within our community. At this time, details are still emerging, and we are working closely with emergency responders and authorities.

‘Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic event. We ask for patience and respect for the families involved as investigations continue.’ 

Lorenzo Echeverria, who witnessed the crash, said on X: ‘Did a plane just crash in Boca Raton? I noticed a propeller plane sounded really loud and low. I looked at flightradar24 and saw this Cessna 310 flying weird at 200 ft close to the airport.’

The National Transportation Safety Board has said it will investigate the crash. 

The crash comes just a day after a tour helicopter crashed into the Hudson River in New York City, killing the pilot and a Spanish family aboard. 

Agustín Escobar, a Siemens executive from Spain, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal and their two young daughters aged four, five, as well as their 11 year-old son, were killed when their sightseeing chopper plummeted into the Hudson River on Thursday. The 36-year-old pilot, who has not been named, was also killed.

The family were on vacation in New York to celebrate the birthday of one of their young daughters, according to Spanish outlet Antena3.

They had just arrived from Barcelona and embarked on their first day touring the Big Apple, taking a scenic trip in the helicopter around the Statue of Liberty and up to the George Washington Bridge.

Also on Thursday,  Reagan International Airport in DC saw another plane crash after a taxiing jet struck a parked plane on the runway – months after 67 people were killed in a horror mid-air collision.