Fort Lauderdale Plane Crash: What We Know So Far

A small twin-engine plane crashed in a Fort Lauderdale parking lot after takeoff, and investigators are now trying to determine what went wrong, according to reports. Here is what we know so far.

According to 6ABC, the aircraft experienced engine trouble shortly after takeoff, and the pilot attempted to turn back for an emergency landing before the plane struck a tree and a fence and went down into a parking lot. The same report said Fire-Rescue Division Chief John San Angelo described the aircraft as having engine trouble shortly after takeoff.

CBS Miami reported the plane was a Piper PA31 Navajo and crashed into a parking lot near the 53rd Street and Powerline Road area after banking right shortly after takeoff. NBC Miami reported the crash involved a Piper Cheyenne PA-31T and said the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.

NBC Miami identified the three people killed as pilot Steven Waller, 65; Wallis “Wally” Watson, 66; and Kevin Watson, 30. The station also reported that authorities said the plane collided with parked vehicles in the lot, rather than the building described by some witnesses in 911 calls.

The emergency response included multiple engines, rescues, trucks, and battalion command units, according to dispatch records, indicating a large-scale response for a confirmed aircraft emergency. The exact extent of any road impacts has not been confirmed in the available reporting, though one account said the crash happened near I-95 during the start of rush hour.

Dispatch records show prior plane-crash incidents at this address on June 3, 2026, and a structure fire there on May 29, 2026. Those records do not establish any connection between the earlier calls and this incident.

What's next: The NTSB investigation is underway, and officials are expected to release additional details as the crash response continues and the cause is determined. Day.News will continue to update this story as officials release more information.

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