October 9, 2025

Tragic Plane Crash Near Williston, Florida Claims Three Lives

News Summary

A small plane crash near Williston, Florida, resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including a pilot flying a Beechcraft Baron 58P. The aircraft crashed in a peanut field northwest of Williston Regional Airport, with no survivors found at the scene. The pilot, Spencer Arnold, was returning from Kentucky and had filed a flight plan for refueling. The NTSB has begun an investigation amid challenging weather conditions reported at the time of the crash. The local community mourns the loss while support for the victims’ families continues.

Williston, Florida

Three individuals, including a pilot, were killed in a small plane crash near Williston, Florida, on Sunday evening. The accident occurred in a peanut field located about a mile northwest of Williston Regional Airport, with emergency responders confirming no survivors were found at the crash site.

The pilot, identified as Spencer Christian Arnold, 33, from St. Petersburg, Florida, was operating a Beechcraft Baron 58P aircraft. Arnold had filed a flight plan to land at Williston for refueling after departing from an airport in Springfield, Kentucky, around 1:15 p.m. The identities of the two passengers accompanying Arnold, who were returning from a hunting trip in Kentucky, have not yet been confirmed.

According to data from FlightAware, the aircraft was flying normally until it approached the airport. Reports indicate that its speed abruptly increased before the plane dropped sharply from 1,400 feet to 400 feet. Eyewitness accounts described the plane exploding upon impact with the ground.

A thunderstorm was reported in the area at the time of the crash, which occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. First responders from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office and the Williston Fire Department arrived at the scene shortly after the incident was reported.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated an investigation into the crash to determine the cause of the accident and the factors that may have contributed to it. The aircraft involved in the incident is registered to 424 Ventures LLC, a company based in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Spencer Arnold is survived by his husband, family members, and an extended family. A memorial webpage has been created in his honor. Additionally, a celebration of life for Arnold is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg, allowing friends and family to come together in remembrance of him.

This tragic event adds to the concerns surrounding aviation safety, particularly for small aircraft operating in challenging weather conditions. The investigation by the NTSB is expected to shed light on the circumstances leading up to the crash and the potential impact of the storm conditions at the time of the flight.

The community in Williston is grieving the loss of the lives lost in this accident while also supporting the family and friends affected by this incident. As details continue to emerge, more information will be made available regarding the investigation and any findings related to the crash.