A Christian pilot and his daughter were killed when their aircraft plunged into a residential pond Monday morning, cutting short their mission of mercy to the Caribbean nation of Jamaica.

Alexander Wurm, 53, and his 22-year-old daughter Serena were onboard a turboprop plane headed to provide post-hurricane aid when it crashed shortly after departing from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, as CBN reports.

The crash occurred around 10:14 a.m. in Coral Springs, Florida, narrowly missing nearby homes before slamming into a neighborhood pond. No other injuries were reported.

Missionaries Lost on Journey to Help Storm Victims

The father-daughter duo was en route to Jamaica as part of a humanitarian response to Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that ripped through the Caribbean late last month, causing historic damage across several island nations.

Their mission was supported by Ignite the Fire, a Christian outreach group aimed at empowering youth across the Caribbean through ministry and service. The trip was one of many such efforts by Alexander Wurm, who had recently acquired the Beechcraft King Air aircraft to expand the ministry's reach.

FAA records reveal that the 1976 Beechcraft King Air was registered to International Air Services, a company that enables trust ownership of aircraft for non-U.S. citizens. A call placed to the company Monday yielded no comment.

Plane Was Key to Ongoing Relief Efforts

According to Wurm’s own social media, he had outfitted the older aircraft with new engines and called it “perfect for the mission” of transporting supplies like generators and building materials to Jamaica. The plane had just recently begun serving that purpose.

Flight records from FlightAware show the aircraft had made four trips to or from Jamaica in the past week alone, including landings in George Town, Montego Bay and Negril. His mission partner, Crisis Response International, confirmed he had helped deliver water filters, medical supplies, and communications equipment to the devastated island.

Sean Malone, founder of Crisis Response International, commended Wurm’s bold spirit: “What I can tell you about Alex is that he had a huge vision for the people of the Caribbean nations. And when this hurricane happened, he didn’t hesitate.”

Coral Springs Neighborhood Shaken by Crash

Residents of the Coral Springs neighborhood where the plane went down were rattled but unharmed. The aircraft descended fast and low before its final impact in a pond, avoiding a potential catastrophe among homes and families.

Local authorities, including the Coral Springs Police Department, continue to secure the crash site. The National Transportation Safety Board is now conducting a full crash investigation to determine what went wrong in the final minutes of the flight.

As of Tuesday morning, no additional victims have been reported, and there is no evidence of onboard mechanical failure prior to takeoff, though that cannot yet be ruled out.

Wurm’s Passion for Missionary Flying Remembered

Wurm had been a licensed pilot since 2005 and believed strongly that the ministry needed its own aircraft if it was truly going to "bless the Caribbean," as he stated in a post earlier this month. His photos showed him at the controls and assisting with aid cargo, portraying both leadership and hands-on effort.

His final post, written just before the crash, celebrated the aircraft’s readiness: “Perfect for the mission to bring relief goods into Montego Bay and the plane is ready just in time!”

Although it came at great cost, this was not a vanity pursuit. This was a man doing the work—not begging politicians for handouts, but taking off himself to deliver aid, one small landing strip at a time.

Community Mourns Pair’s Sacrificial Mission

In a tribute post, Ignite the Fire reflected on the Wurms’ final act of service: “Together, their final journey embodied selflessness and courage, reminding us of the power of service and love.”

The organization concluded its statement honoring the pair’s legacy: “Rest in peace, Alexander and Serena — your light endures in all whose lives you changed.”

In an age when bloated institutions and performative virtue have hijacked the conversation around “doing good,” it’s worth pausing to remember that the real work often comes from people like the Wurms—quiet, committed, and brave. Not seeking headlines, just making a difference.