Small plane crashes into Key West mangroves after takeoff, no injuries

A small Piper PA-28 went down in mangroves off the east end of Key West International Airport’s runway, forcing Monroe County Fire Rescue and other crews to search dense brush before they found the wreckage. Two people were aboard, and no serious injuries were reported.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane departed Key West International Airport at about 2:15 p.m. Sunday, June 14, 2026, before crashing near the airport. Monroe County officials said the aircraft lost power shortly after takeoff when it was about 200 feet in the air and came down in mangroves on the east side of the runway, about 100 feet from the airport boundary.

The runway was reportedly closed for roughly two hours while responders worked the scene. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the FAA are investigating the crash, which occurred in an area where the airport sits close to the water and has little overrun space beyond the pavement.

That geography is what made the response especially urgent. Crews had to push into mangroves east of the runway to locate the aircraft, and officials said the plane ended up just off the airport property after the engine problem developed at low altitude.

Key West International Airport, at the southern tip of the island chain, has long been known for tight margins during takeoff and landing. In this case, the problem emerged almost immediately after departure, leaving little room for the pilot to recover before the plane dropped into the mangroves. The FAA and local investigators will now determine what caused the power loss and whether any airport operations were affected beyond the temporary runway closure.