Two people died and five were injured when a small plane crashed on Interstate 75 in southwest Florida after attempting an emergency landing. The crash occurred near the Pine Ridge Road exit in Collier County, causing a vehicle collision and a massive plume of black smoke. Witnesses described the horrifying experience of seeing the wing of the plane drag a car and slam into a wall, with the impact pulverizing the car.
The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft as a Bombardier Challenger 600 jet that had taken off from an airport at Ohio State University and was scheduled to land in Naples at the time of the crash. Unfortunately, the pilot lost both engines and was unable to make it to the runway, resulting in the fatal crash. The plane had taken off at 1 p.m. and crashed at 3:15 pm, ultimately leading to a tragic and chaotic scene. Collier County Sheriff’s Office confirmed two deaths, and it remains unclear whether the victims were on the plane or on the ground.
Following the crash, the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board launched an investigation, with the NTSB leading the inquiry. Southbound lanes of the interstate remained closed late into the night, according to the Florida Highway Patrol, as investigators arrived at the crash site and worked to secure the area for further examination and evaluation of the wreckage. A preliminary report about the cause of the crash can be expected within 30 days, shedding light on the tragic events that unfolded.
