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Investigation continues after reported takeoff trouble in Pembroke Pines plane crash

By Edited by Mike Garbett and produced with AI assistance
A single-engine plane crashed onto a lawn by South Florida State Hospital just after taking off from North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines on Friday, May 29.
A single-engine plane crashed onto a lawn by South Florida State Hospital just after taking off from North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines on Friday, May 29. Pembroke Pines Police Department

A student pilot involved in the plane crash near a state hospital told Pembroke Pines police the same aircraft had takeoff problems days earlier.

The plane experienced engine failure shortly after liftoff at North Perry Airport and nose-dived.

FULL STORY: Plane struggled to take off days before Pembroke Pines crash, student pilot says

A report states that the student pilot told officers she and her instructor attempted to fly the aircraft the week before the May 29 crash, but aborted because “the aircraft was not gaining enough speed.”
A report states that the student pilot told officers she and her instructor attempted to fly the aircraft the week before the May 29 crash, but aborted because “the aircraft was not gaining enough speed.” Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com

Here are key takeaways:

  • The student pilot told police she and her instructor aborted a flight the week before the May 29 crash because “the aircraft was not gaining enough speed,” according to an incident report.
  • On the day of the crash, she said the plane was not “accelerating properly during takeoff,” but the instructor decided to take off anyway.
  • The 1983 Cessna 172P is owned by Blue Sky Aviation, the flight school led by city commissioner Jay D. Schwartz that is based at North Perry Airport.
  • The student told police that Schwartz — whom she called “the Chief” — was in charge of fixing the plane. Schwartz declined to comment on the maintenance claims.
  • Witness Ernesto Leon, a flight school owner, told police he heard the engine stall at about 300 feet and said “the pilot took a pitch down to avoid crashing into the building.”
  • Nathan Gansert, who helped the two women exit the plane, received the Civilian Special Recognition Award from the city’s fire department. The NTSB investigation remains ongoing.

This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.