Three Killed in Fiery Cessna Plane Crash Near Boca Raton Airport Identified

Robert Stark, 81

A small plane crashed and burst into flames shortly after takeoff from Boca Raton Airport on the morning of April 11, killing all three people on board. The twin-engine, six-seater Cessna 310 had been airborne for approximately eight to ten minutes before going down near an overpass at about 10:20 a.m., roughly a mile from the airport.

Authorities received reports shortly after takeoff that the aircraft was "in trouble" and experiencing mechanical issues. According to flight-tracking data, the plane departed at 10:13 a.m., circled the airport for several minutes, and disappeared from radar over North Military Trail. Witnesses reported the plane making strange loops and flying dangerously close to the ground before the crash.

The victims were identified as 81-year-old Robert Stark, 54-year-old Stephen Stark, and 17-year-old Brooke Stark.

The crash also impacted a nearby driver, 24-year-old Pablo Tafur, who was traveling north on Military Trail in a 2017 Toyota Prius. Amidst the fire and chaos, Tafur lost control of his vehicle and struck a tree. He sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a full investigation into the incident. Spokesperson Kurt Gibson stated that investigators will review pilot qualifications, the pilot’s 72-hour activity history, maintenance records, environmental conditions, and wreckage details. The exact cause of the crash and the plane’s erratic flight path remain undetermined.

Fire crews were able to extinguish the blaze following the crash, but nearby roads remained closed overnight as the investigation continued.