Who was Felipe Cardenas? Family mourns pilot, 31, killed in crash at North Perry Airport
FLORIDA, UNTED STATES: An atmosphere of mourning has enveloped a family reeling from the loss of a cherished pilot, whose life was tragically cut short in a crash at North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines on August 4.
Felipe Becerra Cardenas, a 31-year-old with a passion for aviation, met a fateful end when his single-engine Cessna crashed shortly after takeoff. The incident has left a void in the hearts of those who knew him.
'Discovery flight’
In the aircraft with Cardenas were two passengers, Shelby Thomas, 23, and Jamal Hall, 25, both hailing from Georgia. The trio had embarked on a "discovery flight," a unique experience wherein individuals pay a pilot to join them on a flight, providing a glimpse into the world of aviation and helping them assess their interest in pursuing a pilot's license.
Tragedy struck the group when Thomas, one of Cardenas' passengers, died a day after the crash. Meanwhile, Hall remains hospitalized as he continues his recovery.
Iliana Marquez Sinecio, Cardenas' cousin, shared her thoughts with Local 10 News from Mexico, the home country of the departed pilot. The family's grief extends across borders, underlining the profound impact that Felipe Becerra Cardenas had on those who were fortunate enough to know him.
‘He always worked hard for what he wanted’
Felipe studied at the Universidad La Salle Bajío. "Felipe was a person who worked hard for what he wanted. As a child, he loved soccer. It was always on his mind that he wanted to be a pilot," Marquez Sinecio shared in Spanish. "His whole life, we’re a big family and we grew up together. We were always with our family. I hadn’t seen him in a while since he moved to Miami to study."
Cardenas had established himself in South Florida for five years, immersing himself in the region's vibrant atmosphere. Over the past 10 months, he had taken on the role of an instructor at the Aviation Academy, channeling his dedication into shaping the next generation of aviators. Marquez Sinecio emphasized his relentless drive, stating, "He always worked hard for what he wanted, and he worked very hard for it too”. As the investigation into the crash unfolds, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators are committed to thoroughly examining the incident. The aircraft will be transported to Fort Pierce for further scrutiny to uncover the factors that contributed to the tragedy.
In tandem, security footage from the airport will be scrutinized to shed light on the events preceding and following the crash. In the days ahead, NTSB investigators intend to release a preliminary crash report, contributing to the broader understanding of the circumstances that led to the unfortunate accident.