Emergency calls shed light on Pines plane crash as airport safety debate grows
Newly released emergency calls shed light on the moments after a small plane crashed last week near a state hospital in Pembroke Pines.
In the recordings obtained by WPLG, Local 10, callers describe seeing the aircraft go down just north of South Florida State Hospital, near North Perry Airport.
“I’m here by the state hospital. We just had a plane crash land,” one caller tells a dispatcher.
Another caller reported seeing the aircraft strike a tree before flipping over.
The crash happened shortly before 11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 29, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
According to the aviation safety network, a single-engine Cessna C172P Skyhawk went down shortly after flying out of North Perry Airport from runway 28R.
Officials said the aircraft experienced engine failure, struck a tree and overturned.
Two occupants, both women, according to WPLG, were transported to a hospital and reported “conscious and breathing.”
As of June 3, the National Transportation Safety Board lists the accident report as in progress.
“While the County will not speculate as to the cause or causes of this accident, we will be cooperating with the authorities as they conduct their investigation,” North Perry spokesperson Arlene Satchell told the Pembroke Pines News on May 29.
Insignia visible on the plane’s tail appears to identify it as part of Blue Sky Aviation, a flight school based at North Perry Airport.
The school is led by city commissioner Jay D. Schwartz, who serves as its president and chief operating officer. Schwartz has not responded to the Pembroke Pines News’ multiple request for comment as of June 3.
The crash renewed concerns from Pembroke Pines Mayor Angelo Castillo, who has criticized safety conditions at North Perry and called for action from Broward County officials.
“This pattern of danger is entirely unacceptable. It must stop. Your right to safety must be defended,” Castillo said on his Facebook page.
“And I say this plainly to my friends at the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, fix this problem or close this airport the hell down and put it somewhere that’s not a menace to our community.”
