Residents voice safety worries following plane crash near Lake Osborne Estates

A History of Concerns Over Plane Crashes in Lake Osborne Estates

Residents of Lake Osborne Estates are no strangers to the sound of aircraft overhead. While the latest small plane crash near the neighborhood did not result in any injuries, it has reignited long-standing concerns about the safety of living close to an airport. For decades, locals have voiced their worries, believing that these issues have gone unaddressed by authorities.

Larry Silver, a long-time resident who has lived in the area since 1987, shared his perspective on the situation. “It's always a bit of a surprise, but it's not uncommon,” he said. “There have been airplane crashes in this area out of that airport on many occasions. Sometimes they land in the park, sometimes they land in our homes.”

Silver pointed to the growing number of aircraft traffic as a key factor in making the area increasingly unsafe. He also noted that the recent improvements at the nearby airport have contributed to the problem. “Not just Lake Osborne Estates, but everyone around that airport, including the city of Atlantis, is pretty unhappy with the way they continue to develop it,” he added.

Mary Adam De Villiers, who moved to the neighborhood in 2020, echoed these concerns. She mentioned that she has witnessed several incidents since moving there. “This is accident number three or four, and after researching, there's already a number behind that,” she said.

The most recent crash involved two pilots: Duncan MacClaren, 29, from Delray Beach, and Thomas Peters, 51, from Aruba. The incident also resulted in the deaths of three people from a car that was struck by the plane—Anita Cardenas, 46, Julisa Cardenas, 26, and Maria Cardenas, 24, along with two young boys, ages 8 and 11.

According to an aviation investigation report from the National Transportation Safety Board, there have been 11 crashes and 14 deaths near the Palm Beach County Airport Park over the past 21 years. Here are some notable incidents:

• July 28, 2025 – Lake Worth, Florida – No fatalities
• March 5, 2023 – Lake Worth, Florida – 2 Fatalities
• February 12, 2023 – Lake Worth, Florida – No fatalities
• May 26, 2023 – Lake Worth, Florida – 2 Fatalities
• October 23, 2022 – Lake Worth, Florida – No fatalities (1 Minor injured)
• September 9, 2018 – Lake Worth, Florida – 2 Fatalities
• October 13, 2015 – Lake Worth, Florida – 2 Fatalities
• December 29, 2014 – Lake Worth, Florida – 1 Fatal, 1 serious injury
• December 8, 2012 – Lake Worth, Florida – 1 fatalities
• May 6, 2009 – Lantana, Florida – 2 fatalities
• January 22, 2004 – Lake Worth, Florida – 2 fatalities

De Villiers, who is president of the Lake Osborne Estates Civic Association, has been working with the city of Atlantis to improve oversight of the airport. However, she believes more needs to be done. “Right now, if we see something egregious, the county, the department of airports, does not have the position to do or say anything about it,” she said. “I'd like to see the FAA getting more involved.”

The most recent incident involved a small plane that crashed near the neighborhood and was towed away around 1:30 p.m. The Federal Aviation Administration will continue to investigate this accident.

Residents remain concerned about the frequency of such events and the potential for future tragedies. As one local put it, “We keep talking about it, we keep saying it's just a matter of time, where there will be more casualties added to the history of the rest.”