Emergency Landing on Florida Highway Ends in Car Collision

A small plane made an emergency landing on a busy Florida interstate. The aircraft collided with a car during the incident. It happened on Monday, December 8, around 5:45 p.m.

The location was Interstate 95 in Brevard County. The pilot reported engine trouble before descending. This forced the landing into moving southbound traffic.

Advertisement

The plane struck a Toyota Camry on the highway. The Florida Highway Patrol confirmed the crash. Emergency crews from Brevard County Fire Rescue responded quickly.

Two people were aboard the aircraft. Both the pilot and passenger are 27 years old. Officials reported they escaped without any injuries.

The driver of the Camry was a 57-year-old woman. She sustained minor injuries in the collision. She was taken to Viera Hospital for treatment.

The impact crushed the sedan against the highway median. Debris was scattered across multiple lanes. Troopers closed the interstate for the emergency response.

Eyewitness Captures Harrowing Highway Landing

Jim Coffey and his son Peter witnessed the event. They were driving on I-95 at the time. They saw the small Beechcraft 55 Baron flying low.

Peter Coffey spoke to Spectrum News 13 about it. He described hoping the plane would land to the side. He said the aircraft’s wheel hit the car directly.

“Bam, the wheel just smacked right dab on the back of the car,” he said. He noted the car did not roll over. It was mashed and pushed to the side.

Video of the incident circulated online. It shows the plane landing on top of the Camry. The aircraft then slid forward before stopping on the road.

Local news sources like Fox 13 News and WESH covered the story. They cited official reports from the Florida Highway Patrol. The Federal Aviation Administration is now investigating.

The FAA will examine the cause of the engine failure. The National Transportation Safety Board may also review the event. Such investigations are standard after an aviation incident.

Aftermath and Investigation

The highway closure caused significant traffic delays. Cleanup crews worked to remove debris. The damaged vehicles were towed from the scene.

Authorities praised the response of emergency personnel. Their quick action ensured no further accidents occurred. The situation was resolved within several hours.

This event highlights the risks of emergency landings. Pilots train for such scenarios. Landing on a highway is a last-resort option.

Fortunately, the injuries were minor this time. The outcome could have been much more severe. The investigation will seek to prevent future occurrences.

The dramatic emergency landing Florida highway incident serves as a stark reminder of aviation’s unpredictable nature. It concluded with a remarkably low injury count thanks to a combination of pilot action and swift emergency response.