Video: 3 Critically Injured In Charter Plane Crash In Tampa

TAMPA, FL — The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a small plane crash that occurred Friday afternoon in the Westshore area in which three people were seriously injured.

According to Tampa police, the small charter plane flew out of Zephyrhills Airport and crashed at 1:23 p.m. at North Ward Street and West Laurel Street, a mile from Tampa International Airport.

Tampa International Airport Police and Tampa Fire Rescue personnel were 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 men in the plane, ages 58, 24 and 23, were already outside the plane when officers arrived. They were taken to Tampa General Hospital with critical-but-stable injuries. All received second- and third-degree burns. Two of the passengers also had broken bones.

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 hit.

Tampa Electric Company quickly responded to make repairs and restore power to the area.

The National Transportation Safety Board is taking the lead in the investigation to determine the cause of the crash.