Father and Son Survive After Ultralight Aircraft Crashes Onto Florida Highway Following Takeoff Failure
A father and his adult son are expected to recover after their ultralight aircraft crashed onto a busy Florida highway shortly after takeoff on Saturday morning, following what authorities say was a mechanical failure during the initial climb.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), the accident occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. on July 4, 2026, after 59-year-old pilot Moises Serrano and his 22-year-old son Marcus Serrano departed from South Lakeland Airport (X49) near Mulberry, Florida, in an experimental light-sport aircraft.
Investigators say the aircraft developed a mechanical issue almost immediately after becoming airborne, leaving the pilot with little time or altitude to react. In an attempt to avoid a more serious disaster, Moises Serrano tried to carry out an emergency landing on the westbound lanes of State Road 60 near Coronet Road.
However, because the aircraft was flying at an extremely low altitude, it struck overhead power lines before slamming onto the roadway in what deputies described as an “extremely hard landing.” The impact destroyed the ultralight aircraft, but remarkably both occupants survived.
Emergency responders from Polk County Fire Rescue quickly arrived at the scene and transported both father and son to a nearby hospital. Authorities said both sustained injuries but were listed in stable condition and are expected to make a full recovery.
The crash temporarily disrupted traffic along State Road 60 as emergency crews secured the area and utility workers addressed damage to the power lines.
The aircraft involved was an experimental operating light-sport ultralight being flown for private purposes. Initial reports indicate it was not a commercial flight and no one on the ground was injured during the accident.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the scene, while the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified and will investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Investigators are expected to examine the reported mechanical failure, the condition of the aircraft, and other factors that may have contributed to the accident.
The incident serves as another reminder of the limited options available to pilots when mechanical failures occur immediately after takeoff, one of the most critical phases of flight where altitude and reaction time are extremely limited.
