3 injured in plane crash into bay after takeoff from Albert Whitted

A six-passenger plane crashed into Tampa Bay Tuesday after its engine failed taking off from Albert Whitted Airport in downtown St. Petersburg.

Ashlie Handy, a spokesperson for St. Petersburg Fire Rescue, said three of the four passengers in the private Cherokee plane were taken to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital. One dog was also aboard.

It’s unclear whether the passengers were trying to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton, Handy said, but that appeared to be the case.

The plane landed 300 yards east of the St. Petersburg Pier and sunk completely under the bay. Passengers were rescued 500 feet from shore by a good Samaritan operating a boat, Handy said. Fire rescue crews and St. Peterburg police arrived shortly after.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.