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Boca Raton, FL - Federal investigators say a rudder malfunction may have played a key role in a fatal small plane crash in Boca Raton that killed three members of the Stark family last month.
According to a preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the twin-engine Cessna 310R began making a series of sharp, uncontrolled left turns shortly after takeoff from Boca Raton Airport on April 11th.
The flight was headed to Tallahassee International Airport.
Seventeen-year-old Brooke Stark, her father Stephen Stark, 54, and grandfather Robert Stark, 81, were all aboard the aircraft when it went down in flames just minutes after takeoff.
The NTSB stated the flight was the aircraft’s first since its annual inspection.
Moments into the ascent, air traffic controllers were reportedly told by one of the pilots that the rudder wasn’t responding and the plane could only make left turns.
Radar data and Google Earth imagery revealed the aircraft looped in multiple 360-degree circles before slamming into trees along a roadway median, crashing near railroad tracks, and erupting into fire.
The fuselage and cockpit were almost entirely destroyed in the post-crash blaze.
The wreckage remains under federal review.
Although early findings point to possible rudder failure, a full investigation is ongoing and may take more than a year to complete.
A passing driver narrowly avoided being struck by the aircraft and sustained only minor injuries, officials confirmed.
No criminal activity is suspected, and no foul play has been alleged in connection with the crash.