A small plane crashed into trees and powerlines near Titusville's Space Coast Regional Airport shortly after 10:15 a.m. Monday, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The incident occurred on SR 405 (Columbia Blvd.) between Sisson Road and US 1, just north of the airport. Officials said the pilot reported engine failure shortly after takeoff and attempted to turn left to return to the runway. The plane caught fire after hitting the ground.
The aircraft involved was a Mooney M20F, a four-seat propeller plane. NTSB investigators are on the way to document the scene and examine the wreckage. Authorities have not confirmed how many people were on board or whether anyone was seriously injured. The crash site is near the airport's southern edge, a busy area for general aviation traffic.
SR 405 is closed in both directions between Sisson Road and Washington Avenue, disrupting traffic in Titusville. The Titusville Police Department urged drivers to avoid the area and use alternate routes. Power was also shut off to nearby homes and businesses as a precaution, though officials did not immediately specify the extent of the outage.
The NTSB said the pilot's attempt to return to the airport after the engine failure likely contributed to the crash. The plane's wreckage is scattered across the road and nearby trees, with debris visible from the highway. Emergency crews worked to contain the fire and secure the scene.
Titusville police confirmed the closure via Facebook and said crews were still on the scene as of late Monday afternoon. The NTSB is expected to release more details once its investigation is complete. No arrests or criminal charges have been reported.