US: A tragedy struck on Friday as a Bombardier Challenger 600 jet crashed onto Interstate 75 near Naples, Florida claiming the lives of at least two individuals. The Collier County Sheriffs Office confirmed the fatalities, revealing that two out of the five individuals aboard the aircraft perished in the crash.Plane crash on I-75 in Naples, Fl 😳Video credit @JobaRobinson pic.twitter.com/cg4pgsUYWa— Maria Ducato (@mariaducato) February 9, 2024Videos circulated on social media captured the harrowing aftermath, depicting the aircraft engulfed in flames and billowing thick black smoke. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash also involved at least two vehicles.Initial reports indicate that the plane was en route from Ohio to Naples when it encountered engine trouble, ultimately culminating in the tragic crash. Naples Airport informed WBBH that the aircraft went down shortly after reporting an engine failure.Had a plane just land RIGHT in front of us on I-75 pic.twitter.com/z6lSVkc9JV— bri (@B_Walker97) February 9, 2024Flight data reveals that the jet, which had departed from Columbus around 1 PM, was slated to land at Naples airport at approximately 3:21 PM. FAA lauches investigationIn response to the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiated a closure of a significant portion of Interstate 75 in Collier County to facilitate the investigation into the crash. Southbound traffic was halted at the 111 Mile Marker (Immokalee Road), while northbound traffic was diverted at the 105 Mile Marker (Golden Gate Parkway).A Facebook post by the Collier County Sheriffs Office detailed the ongoing efforts, stating, “We are also working with the FAA to determine when some lanes can re-open to traffic in the affected area.”
