Two dead after Private jet attempting to land on Florida highway collides with vehicles

Two individuals lost their lives following an unfortunate incident involving a small private jet attempting an emergency landing on Interstate 75 in southwest Florida on Friday afternoon. The aircraft collided with two vehicles, causing a temporary standstill in traffic as thick black smoke billowed into the sky. The crash occurred near the Pine Ridge Road exit in Collier County, just north of the section where the interstate turns east toward Fort Lauderdale, known as Alligator Alley. Eyewitness Brianna Walker recounted seeing the plane’s wing dragging a car in front of hers before impacting the highway barrier. Walker narrowly avoided the collision by moments, managing to pull over safely with her friend. “The plane was mere inches above us,” Walker stated. “It suddenly veered and skidded across the highway, followed by a fiery explosion and debris scattering everywhere.” Florida Highway Patrol reported the aircraft also struck a pickup truck on the interstate. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the aircraft as a Bombardier Challenger 600 jet with five individuals on board at the time of the crash, which occurred around 3:15 p.m. local time. According to Robin King, spokesperson for the Naples airport authority, the plane departed from Ohio State University Airport in Columbus around 1 p.m. with intentions to land in Naples. The pilot had radioed the tower requesting an emergency landing due to engine failure, subsequently losing communication. Smoke spotted by airport staff led them to the crash site a few miles away. King stated that emergency services dispatched fire trucks equipped with foam to the scene, rescuing three of the occupants from the wreckage. Adam Fisher, spokesperson for the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed two fatalities but could not immediately determine whether they were passengers of the aircraft or individuals on the ground. Molly Best, spokesperson for the Highway Patrol, disclosed that three individuals from the plane survived while two others were fatally injured. However, she refrained from specifying the victims’ affiliation, citing ongoing notification of their families. The aircraft, operated by Hop-a-Jet Worldwide Charter based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was scheduled to return to its base on Friday afternoon. Attempts to reach Hop-a-Jet for comment were unsuccessful. Ohio State University clarified that the aircraft was not linked to the university, offering no further details. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will conduct an investigation, with the NTSB leading. Initial investigative efforts, including scene documentation and aircraft examination, will be carried out by NTSB officials on-site. Subsequently, the aircraft will be transported to a secure facility for further analysis. A preliminary report on the crash’s cause is anticipated within 30 days. The Florida Highway Patrol issued a statement advising closure of southbound lanes on the interstate, urging motorists to find alternative routes.