Two people died Thursday morning when a small plane crashed into a wooded area northeast of downtown Tampa just minutes after taking off from Tampa Executive Airport, according to Hillsborough County Fire and Rescue and the Federal Aviation Administration. The aircraft, a Lancair Evolution, went down near U.S. 301 and Maislin Drive and was engulfed in flames by the time crews arrived.
Authorities identified the pilot as 59-year-old David Siambanes and the passenger as 53-year-old Dawn Stone. The plane took off from Tampa Executive Airport at 8:14 a.m. bound for Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Hillsborough County Fire and Rescue said it began receiving 911 calls about three minutes later, at approximately 8:17 a.m., reporting a plane down and on fire.
Investigators on scene
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the crash, with the FAA assisting. Neither agency has released a preliminary cause, and investigations into general aviation accidents involving post-crash fires typically take months before a probable cause is determined. The Lancair Evolution is a high-performance, kit-built turboprop aircraft popular with experienced private pilots for its speed and range, though its performance characteristics also demand more precise handling than typical piston-engine trainers.
Tampa Executive Airport, located in northeast Hillsborough County, is a general aviation facility that primarily serves private and business aircraft rather than commercial airline traffic. Neighbors near the crash site described hearing a loud noise followed by smoke visible from the wooded area before fire crews arrived.
What’s next
The NTSB typically releases a preliminary report within a few weeks that outlines what is known about the flight’s final moments, with a full determination of probable cause following much later. Family members of both victims have not released public statements as of Friday.
