A plane crash on Interstate 75 near Naples, Florida has resulted in at least two deaths, according to a statement from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, as the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed Friday it will be investigating the crash of the small jet, which had five people on board.
The crashed plane was a Bombardier Challenger 600. (Photo by: aviation-images.com/Universal Images ... [+]
The jet, a Bombardier Challenger 600 bound for Naples, crashed on the interstate around 3:15 p.m. local time after departing from the Ohio State University Airport in Columbus, Ohio, according to data from FlightAware.
North and southbound traffic has been closed on a large stretch of Interstate 75.
Footage of the crash site shows the jet engulfed in flames and billowing smoke, which appear to have since been extinguished.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash, with the former agency noting in its statement it usually posts preliminary incident reports the business day after a crash.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office told Forbes it couldn’t confirm any victim information, only that there were two deaths.
The Bombardier Challenger 600 series jet is a family of business jets capable of seating more than a dozen passengers. The crashed low-wing jet was not affiliated with Ohio State University despite departing from the university’s airport, the New York Times reported.
Much remains unclear about the crash, such as the cause. It is not known how many vehicles may have been damaged as the jet crashed on the interstate, but video of the aftermath appears to show significant damage to at least one vehicle. It is also unclear when the interstate will reopen.
Plane Crashes on Florida Highway, Killing 2, Authorities Say (NYT)
2 dead, 3 survivors reported after jet crashes on I-75 in Collier County (NBC2 News)