Two people died, and three others were injured after a small plane crashed onto a Florida highway on Friday afternoon, allegedly experiencing a dual engine failure, authorities said. The plane went down on Interstate 75 according to the Federal Aviation Administration. It collided with a vehicle, reported the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office announced that there are two confirmed fatalities in the accident, the pilot and co-pilot. Three individuals survived the crash – a crew member and two passengers, stated the sheriff’s office. The trio was captured on video by a passing bystander fleeing from the wreckage. They were transported to a local hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Preliminary information we have is that the pilot indicated via radio communication that the aircraft experienced a dual engine failure while approaching the airport,” the NTSB said in a statement. At the crash site, a large fire and billowing cloud of black smoke could be seen.
Joe Robinson, a witness, told ABC News he was driving north on I-75 when he encountered the smoke.
“I quickly realized it was a private plane on the southbound path, which was completely crashed, engulfed in flames,” he said.
He also noted seeing a damaged truck off the highway.
“Overall, it was just a chaotic, intense scene,” Robinson said.