Police identify pilots killed, survivors from fiery plane crash on I-75 in Collier County
MIAMI - Two people were killed Friday afternoon after a twin-engine jet plane carrying five people burst into flames as it crashed on Interstate 75, near Naples, shutting down parts of the highway.
The Collier County Sheriff's Office confirmed two people had been killed in the crash and three others survived. In a Facebook post on Saturday afternoon, CCSO identified the deceased as pilot Edward Daniel Murphy, 50, of Oakland Park, and second-in-command Ian Frederick Hofmann, 65, of Pompano Beach. The three survivors were crew member Sydney Ann Bosmans, 23, of Jupiter, and passengers 35-year-old Aaron Baker and 23-year-old Audra Green — both from Columbus Ohio. The survivors were transported to an area hospital for treatment.
In an audio captured from the Bombardier Challenger 600's crew speaking to the Naples Airport tower, you hear a calm voice saying, "Lost both engines, emergency. I am making an emergency landing." Then the tower responds, "You are cleared to land..." Then, the voice from the plane says, "We are cleared to land, but we are not going to make the runway. We've lost both engines."
The crash happened near mile marker 107, Pine Ridge Road, in Collier County, just north of where the highway heads east toward Broward County along Alligator Alley.
The Florida Highway Patrol says the plane collided with at least one vehicle as it attempted to touch down on the highway. FHP later confirmed that two vehicles were damaged during the crash: a Chevrolet Silverado and a Nissan Armada. The Chevy driver sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital, while the driver and two additional passengers of the Nissan were not injured.
Images from Florida Department of Transportation cameras showed several fire rescue and police units at the scene.
The plane was scheduled to fly into Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, according to CBS affiliate WINK News. Flight data indicates the flight was returning to Florida from Ohio.
The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed to CBS News Miami on Saturday that the plane had originated from Ohio State University Airport in Columbus, Ohio, that it was experiencing dual engine failure as it was heading toward Naples.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, I-75 will be shut down for the next 24 hours, while they conduct their investigation.
The FHP said southbound interstate lanes were closed and they are urging drivers to avoid the area and seek alternate routes. Meanwhile, the northbound interstate lanes are open and FHP reminds drivers that stopping on a limited access road is prohibited unless a vehicle is disabled or necessary to render aid, per Florida Statute 316.1945.
The FAA and the NTSB will investigate, and FHP will be assisting with the investigation. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide future updates. The NTSB is also asking anyone who has videos of the plane crash to please send them to its tipline email address: witness@ntsb.gov. Video of the plane after the crash is not needed.
