Tragedy struck in Florida when a helicopter from a flight school crashed into a high-value warehouse, claiming the lives of two men.
The helicopter had taken off from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport shortly before noon on March 23. By 12:30 p.m., it had tragically fallen in Boynton Beach. According to the Palm Beach Post, there were no survivors from the crash.
Authorities have identified the victims as Alejandro Carrasco, a 28-year-old flight instructor, and Bryan Menna, a 52-year-old student. This information was confirmed by WPBF.
Further details reveal that Carrasco hailed from West Palm Beach, while Menna was originally from Michigan, as reported by CBS.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a statement to the Daily Mail, noting that the details surrounding the devastating accident are still being investigated in these early stages.
In a statement to the Daily Mail, the FAA said details on the horrifying incident are still in the preliminary stages.
‘The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation and will provide further updates,’ it said.
Federal officials said the chopper crashed ‘under unknown circumstances.’
A rogue helicopter crashed into a Boynton Beach Warehouse on Monday, leaving two men dead
The chopper was a Robinson R44 owned by Palm Beach Helicopters. One of the company’s models is pictured prior to the day of the crash
‘I don’t know if they were trying to land or not. That’s just where they ended up, on one of the roofs, and went through,’ said Boynton Beach Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Matt Oxendine at a press conference, per People.
‘It’s a lightweight truss roof, so it actually crashed through it.’
The damage was considered ‘substantial’ though there were no injuries on the ground.
The terrifying crash drew in dozens of police, firefighters and hazardous materials crews, according to CBS12.
As crews investigated the scene, police urged residents to steer clear of the area.
Fortunately, the building, which was estimated to be worth $24.2 million, was completely vacant at the time.
It is reportedly owned by real estate firm Foundry Commercial.
Oxendine said neither smoke nor fire came from the deadly crash, though fuel leaked from the scene.
‘Usually you would see it from far away,’ he said at a press conference.
The warehouse was valued at approximately $24.2 million and was vacant at the time
The helicopter, Robinson R44, belonged to Palm Beach Helicopters’ flight school
In the agency’s social media statement about the incident, locals recalled seeing an extremely low-flying helicopter make its way through the sky just before the crash.
‘I saw a yellow helicopter flying unusually low. I wonder if that was it, I was on Beach Boulevard in the Congress area,’ said one person.
‘Saw a low-flying helicopter in Leisureville around 1. Wonder if it was the same one. Prayers to all involved,’ another added.
FlightAware tracked the aircraft’s path from the moment it left the airport, almost 40 miles south.
It flew along the Sawgrass Expressway and State Road 7 before turning on Clint Moore Road in Boca Raton.
Eventually, the chopper flew over Congress Avenue before crashing into the vacant warehouse.
Officials have not discovered where exactly the pilot was headed, but the helicopter appeared to be flying in the direction of Antiquers Aerodrome Airpark in Delray Beach.
Some locals said they saw the helicopter flying low in the sky just before the crash. FlightAware tracked the flight path
It reportedly belonged to Palm Beach Helicopters’ flight school. Training flights are relatively routine throughout South Florida’s airspace.
The helicopter was a Robinson R44. Typically, the model has four seats and a two-blade rotor. It is frequently used by flight schools.
According to their website, Palm Beach Helicopters has at least one Robinson 44 in their fleet.
National Transportation Safety Board investigators are expected to arrive sometime on Tuesday to examine the helicopter’s remains and document the site.
The aircraft will then be transported for further evaluation.
The Daily Mail contacted Palm Beach Helicopters and Boynton Fire & Rescue for comment.
