NTSB: Boca Raton Plane Crash Kills Three Due to Rudder Issues

A preliminary National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report reveals that the deadly April plane crash in Boca Raton, which killed three members of the Stark family, was caused by a rudder malfunction that left the Cessna 310R only able to make left turns. The flight was the aircraft's first after an annual inspection, and issues began immediately after takeoff, with the plane repeatedly looping left and unable to stabilize. One of the pilots reported the rudder problem to air traffic control, stating they could not turn right. Witnesses and surveillance footage confirmed the aircraft made a series of left turns before crashing, initially hitting trees, then the road, and coming to rest on railroad tracks where it caught fire. The crash also resulted in minor injuries to a driver on the ground. The NTSB continues to investigate the cause, examining pilot qualifications, maintenance records, and environmental factors.