By Emily Mae Czachor | April 19, 2026
A small single-engine airplane crashed into the yard of a home Sunday in the Wesley Chapel area north of Tampa, killing the sole occupant, authorities said.
The impact sparked a fire that damaged the property; Pasco County public information officer Sarah Andeara said the residence sustained some damage, according to a statement shared with CBS News by WTSP. Neighbors recorded a plume of smoke rising from the yard after the aircraft went down.
Pasco County officials said flames were extinguished by about 10:30 a.m. ET.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed they are investigating the accident. The NTSB will lead the probe and plans to provide updates as they become available.
The NTSB and FAA reported the Cessna departed Tampa North Aero Park Sunday morning and crashed at about 8:35 a.m. local time under circumstances that remain unknown. Only the pilot was on board.
An NTSB investigator was en route to the scene to document the wreckage and examine the aircraft before it is recovered and moved to a secure facility for further evaluation. The agency asked anyone who witnessed the crash or has surveillance footage to contact the NTSB.
Local authorities are responsible for identifying the deceased and releasing details about the person’s identity. The NTSB emphasized it will not determine or speculate about the cause while investigators are still gathering evidence; a preliminary report is typically issued within 30 days.
Photo contribution by Christina Galbiati. Kathryn Krupnik contributed to this report.