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In a tragic turn of events, Warren Cilliers, the proprietor of Cilliers Aviation located at Palatka Airport, has been identified as the pilot who perished in a small aircraft accident this past Saturday.
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The aviation community is mourning the loss of a respected local figure, Warren Cilliers, who tragically lost his life in a plane crash in Starke over the weekend. Known for his expertise and passion for flying, Cilliers was a seasoned aerobatic pilot.
The St. Augustine Airport paid tribute to Cilliers on social media on Sunday evening, expressing profound sorrow over his untimely passing. “Our hearts are heavy as we remember aviation legend Warren Cilliers — an exceptional aerobatic pilot, talented mechanic, and dear friend to so many in the aviation community,” read the post, encapsulating the widespread admiration and respect he garnered among peers and friends alike.
“Our hearts are heavy as we remember aviation legend Warren Cilliers — an exceptional aerobatic pilot, talented mechanic, and dear friend to so many in the aviation community.”
According to Cilliers Aviation’s website, he was a husband, dad, mechanic, and FAA-certified in general aviation. Although he called St. Augustine home, the family business operated out of Palatka Airport and specialized in performance aircraft service.
Cilliers also once served as a Red Bull Air Race technician for Team 99 Mike Goulian.
“Warren was a much loved part of our racing team from 2016 – 2019 … he remained a very close friend and we are all very devastated by this tragedy,” Director Karin Goulian of Goulian Aerosports told First Coast News.
The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office said the 46-year-old crashed at the Keystone Heights Airport in Starke while practicing aerial stunts. The sheriff said it happened at the Florida International Rally & Motorsport Park (FIRM), connected to the airport, which had been hosting the 11th annual Krawl’n For The Fallen event at the time.
The airport said he leaves behind “an incredible legacy built on passion, skill, and genuine kindness. His dedication to aviation and the joy he brought to everything he did inspired everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”
“On behalf of the entire St. Augustine Airport team, we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.”
The Florida Highway Patrol said that the cause of the crash was not immediately known Saturday. It is now under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
