The Boca Raton community is mourning after a small plane crashed near the city’s airport Friday morning, taking the lives of three individuals and injuring one more on the ground.
Robert Stark, 81, of Boca Raton; Stephen Stark, 54, of Delray Beach; and Brooke Stark, 17, also from Delray Beach, were all aboard the Cessna 310 plane that went down at about 10:20 a.m. on Military Trail near Glades Road after departing the airport, according to the FAA. The plane was headed to Tallahassee International Airport when it crashed.
The aircraft had departed from Boca Raton Airport en route to Tallahassee when it experienced mechanical trouble shortly after takeoff. Within minutes, it crashed near a highway overpass and train tracks along North Military Trail, igniting a fireball and sending thick smoke across the area.
A fourth individual, Pablo Tafur, 24, was injured when his vehicle encountered the crash site. Tafur, a military veteran, sustained first-degree burns after his car passed through the flames and collided with a tree. He credited his military training for helping him stay calm in the chaos.
Both Robert and Stephen Stark held valid pilot certificates from the FAA, though authorities have not confirmed who was piloting the plane at the time. Stephen held multi-engine ratings, while Robert had experience flying land and sea aircraft with instrument capabilities.
The FAA and NTSB are currently leading the investigation. A large portion of North Military Trail remains closed as investigators continue surveying the site and collecting data. Authorities have not yet released the preliminary cause of the crash but say a full report will follow in the coming weeks.
This tragedy has left a deep and lasting impact on our community. At Demand the Limits, Personal Injury Attorneys, we are profoundly saddened by this loss and stand in heartfelt solidarity with the families, friends, and neighbors who are grieving. As a Boca Raton-based firm, we don’t just serve this community—we are a part of it. And when tragedy strikes close to home, we feel it deeply.
Our thoughts are with every person touched by this heartbreaking event, and we honor the lives lost with the respect and compassion they deserve. In moments like these, the strength of a united community is more important than ever. Please know that we are here to support, uplift, and walk beside you—today and in the days ahead.
Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel, via Associated Press
