Tragedy struck on Friday afternoon when a small plane crashed into a vehicle on Interstate 75 in Collier County, Florida. The plane, carrying five individuals from The Ohio State University’s airport, collided with a vehicle, resulting in a fiery debris field and the closure of the highway. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two people lost their lives in the crash: pilot Edward Daniel Murphy, 50, of Oakland Park, and co-pilot Ian Frederick Hofmann, 65, of Pompano Beach.
Fortunately, all the occupants of the damaged vehicles involved in the crash survived. The driver of a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado suffered minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The driver of a 2023 Nissan Armada SUV, along with her two passengers, escaped the incident unharmed. The occupants of the Nissan were all from Massachusetts.
Eyewitness Jinny Johnson, a Naples-area resident, stumbled upon the crash just minutes after it occurred. She described seeing black smoke billowing into the sky and flames engulfing the plane. As she cautiously approached the scene, Johnson witnessed emergency vehicles arriving and a helicopter landing near the wreckage. First responders tended to the injured individuals on the median, while firefighters worked to extinguish the flames using a special foam-type substance capable of controlling jet fuel fires.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the plane involved in the crash was a Bombardier Challenger 600 jet. It crashed approximately 4.7 miles from the Naples Airport, where it was scheduled to depart for Fort Lauderdale. According to Robin King, the director of communication with The Naples Airport Authority, the airport lost communication with the plane just before the crash. The pilot’s final call to air traffic control indicated that the aircraft had lost both engines and would not be able to make it to the runway.
The Naples Airport Authority has yet to release information about the passengers on the plane or the purpose of their visit to Naples. The Hop-a-Jet charter company, which leased the aircraft involved in the accident, expressed its concern for the well-being of the passengers, crew members, and their families. The company pledged to dispatch a team to the crash site to assist with investigations.
The FAA, along with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. An NTSB investigator arrived at the crash site on Friday afternoon, and additional investigators are expected to join over the weekend. The NTSB’s investigation will focus on the pilot, the airplane, and the operating environment.
As of Saturday, southbound lanes of Interstate 75 remained closed as authorities continued their investigation. Drivers were advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes. The FAA also implemented airspace restrictions in the vicinity of the crash site to ensure safety.
The tragic plane crash on I-75 serves as a somber reminder of the risks associated with air travel. While the investigation is ongoing, it is crucial to remember the lives lost in this incident and extend our thoughts and condolences to their grieving families.
