Pilot involved in mobile home crash in Clearwater, Florida, reports engine failure shortly before impact

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by Katherine Donlevy

Newly released audio captures the desperate final moments of a pilot who died when his plane crashed into a Florida home on Thursday.

On Thursday, a frantic pilot could be heard reporting what appeared to be a spontaneous engine failure before speeding toward the Bayside Waters Mobile Home Park in Clearwater.

“I can't see any other airports,” the pilot said in a chilling audio obtained by Fox 13.

“The engine is broken.”

“Oh, y-you.”

That's when a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza V35 crashed into the home, obliterating it.

The pilot and two people on the ground were killed, and several others were injured. Their identities have not yet been revealed.

The audio transmission also included a report to the control tower from another pilot who witnessed the crash: “It crashed hard.” They are in flames. ”

“He's definitely obsessed with the house. The whole house is being demolished,” Pilot said. “I just saw him go down very fast.”

Fire officials said ground responders were preparing to make an emergency landing at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport after the pilot reported engine failure.

The plane was just five miles north of the runway when it crashed.

The plane landed inside a mobile home, reducing the building to ashes. The fire later spread to three other mobile homes, according to Clearwater Fire Chief Scott Ehlers.

Video showed an apocalyptic scene, with plane wreckage still smoldering next to charred buildings and trees.

The crash remains under investigation.