Skip to main content
Cloudy icon
81º

After fatal crash, Broward mayor aims to address decades of concerns about North Perry Airport safety

PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – Broward County Mayor Steve Geller said on Tuesday that after a fatal Beechcraft Bonanza plane crash on Monday he decided to look into the safety of the airport.

The plane took off from North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines, landed on a residential street, and crashed into a sports utility vehicle with a boy and his mother.

Four-year-old Taylor Bishop and the two people in the plane died.

“There are a couple of more accidents here because North Perry is each year either the busiest or the second busiest airport,” Geller said referring to the state. “The only other airport that is as busy as this is Tamiami Airport in Miami.”

Geller said there have been 14 plane crashes at North Perry Airport over the last five years. Residents have had concerns for decades.

“North Perry is a safe airport ... it is no more on average per take-off and landing than any other airport in South Florida,” Geller said, adding closing the airport isn’t an option.

According to the Florida Department of Transportation, the airport houses eight flight instruction schools, and about 75% of annual operations are related to flight training.

Geller said the Broward County Aviation Department is going to be looking at whether or not the flight schools are a problem and if there need to be additional criteria on the safety of the planes.

“I am sure we are not making a lot of money on this airport. It’s done as a service to the community,” Geller said.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the Monday plane crash.

Broward mayor talks about airport

Related stories

Jan. 15, 2021: Small plane makes hard landing in Pembroke Pines

Dec. 18, 2020: Burn victims of small plane crash remain hospitalized in Miami

Dec. 17, 2020: Officer among 4 injured in Broward small plane crash

Dec. 2, 2020: Small plane lands on its roof on Broward College campus in Pembroke Pines

Nov. 24, 2020: Body of pilot, plane wreckage removed from North Perry Airport as investigation into deadly crash continues

Nov. 23, 2020: Plane crashes near runway at North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines, killing pilot

Aug. 28, 2020: One of two victims in deadly Broward plane crash identified

June 24, 2020: Small plane makes emergency landing on side of road

June 23, 2020: Pilot makes emergency landing in Pembroke Pines

May 21, 2020: Dispatcher: ‘Oh, dear!’ 911 calls released in Miramar plane crash

May 13, 2020: Flight school identifies instructor critically injured in Miramar plane crash

May 12, 2020: Student pilot killed, instructor injured when small plane crashes in Miramar

April 1, 2020: Small plane crashes at North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines

Jan. 2, 2020: Small plane skids off runway after landing gear collapses at North Perry Airport

Nov. 21, 2019: Small plane skids off runway at North Perry Airport

Nov. 12, 2019: Small plane makes crash landing at North Perry Airport

Sept. 27, 2019: Small plane’s engine catches fire at North Perry Airport

May 21, 2019: Small plane makes emergency landing near Krome Avenue

March 26, 2019: Small plane strikes aircraft while landing at North Perry Airport

March 29, 2018: Small plane lands safely at North Perry Airport after experiencing mechanical problems

April 12, 2017: Small plane runs off runway at North Perry Airport

Historic archives


About the Authors
Andrea Torres headshot

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

Loading...

Recommended Videos