3 injured after small plane crash in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. (WWSB) - Three people were taken to the hospital following a small plane crash in Tampa Friday afternoon.

The crash happened at the corner of Nassau and Ward. The Tampa Police Communications Center was inundated with dozens of 911 calls this afternoon as witnesses reported the crash of a charter plane about a mile from Tampa International Airport.

Tampa International Airport Police and Tampa Fire Rescue personnel were also dispatched to the scene. Tampa Police officers, nearby on proactive patrol, arrived within two minutes to find the Piper Cherokee 140 fully engulfed in flames. The three adult male occupants, injured, were already outside of the plane when the officer arrived.

The pilot reported emergency engine failure to the tower prior to the crash. As it descended, immediately prior to the crash, the plane clipped wires and a power pole along the intersection. No structures were impacted.

The three occupants of the plane were transported to Tampa General Hospital as a trauma alert. They are currently listed in critical, but stable, condition. All passengers on the flight suffered burns and two appeared to have broken bones.

Tampa Electric is working to restore power to the area and the NTSB will now lead the investigation.

Thankfully, no one was injured on the ground. Tampa International is not reporting any effects to traffic or operations at this time.

A viewer sent us this video of the immediate aftermath of the crash: