A routine evening commute on one of Florida’s busiest highways turned into a scene of chaos on Monday when a small airplane was forced to make an emergency landing directly onto Interstate 95, colliding with a passing vehicle and injuring its driver. Authorities and witnesses described the event as an “unbelievable” and “surreal” moment that unfolded in seconds.
A Sudden Descent During Heavy Traffic
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the incident occurred at approximately 5:45 p.m. on the northbound lanes of I-95, a major transportation corridor that regularly carries tens of thousands of vehicles each day. The aircraft, a Beechcraft 55 twin-engine propeller plane, reportedly experienced mechanical trouble shortly before the crash.
Dashcam video, now circulating widely online, shows the aircraft descending sharply toward the highway. The pilot appeared to be attempting an emergency landing, but instead the plane came down directly onto the roof of a Toyota Camry that was traveling among dense rush-hour traffic. The impact jolted the car, sending the aircraft bouncing off its roof before the plane came to a halt along the shoulder amid sparks and debris.
The driver, a 57-year-old woman, survived the terrifying moment and was taken to a nearby hospital. Despite the severity of the collision, officials stated she sustained only minor injuries and is expected to recover. Her name has not been released.
Pilot and Passenger Walk Away Unharmed
The two men aboard the plane—a 27-year-old pilot from Orlando and a 27-year-old passenger from Temple Terrace—were remarkably uninjured. They remained on site following the crash and were cooperating fully with investigators. Their identities had not yet been disclosed as of Tuesday morning.
The pilot reported that engine difficulties began moments before the crash, leaving little choice but to attempt an emergency landing on the interstate. Aviation experts note that highways are sometimes used as a last resort during engine failure when no open fields or airports are within reach, though such landings carry enormous risk due to traffic, power lines, and unpredictable obstacles.
Eyewitnesses Describe a Scene of Shock and Confusion
Several drivers narrowly avoided the descending aircraft, including Jim Coffey, who told local media that the plane passed just feet above his car.
“We just saw this plane drop out of the sky,” he recalled. “It went right over us and hit the car in front before we had time to react.”
His son, Peter, who was also in the vehicle, said he initially hoped the pilot would find a clear patch of road. “I thought maybe he could angle away from traffic, but the next second the wheel hit the back of the car,” he said. Both described the moment as startling but were grateful it hadn’t resulted in more severe injuries or a multi-car pileup.
Photos taken after the crash show the Toyota significantly damaged and the plane missing parts of its nose and landing gear.
Investigations Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has opened an inquiry into the aircraft’s mechanical issues and the circumstances that led to the emergency landing. The Florida Highway Patrol will conduct a separate investigation regarding the traffic collision itself. Both agencies are expected to analyze flight records, maintenance logs, and witness statements.
Second Emergency Landing in Florida the Same Day
In a striking coincidence, Monday’s crash was the second small-plane emergency landing reported in Florida within hours. Earlier that afternoon, another light aircraft made an unplanned landing at the intersection of Plymouth Avenue and Jacobs Road near DeLand High School.
That incident injured two people, both of whom were hospitalized—one transported by helicopter and the other by ambulance. Photos from the scene showed the plane on its side with visible skid marks across the roadway.
Both incidents remain under investigation, and officials have not indicated any connection between the two events.
Source:Africa Publicity
