Florida highway tragedy: Two killed as private jet crashes, bursts into flames during failed emergency landing attempt
This tragic event took place on Friday, February 9, 2024, on the interstate highway in Collier County, southern Florida.
9:22 PM EST, February 13, 2024
The aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 600 business jet flying from Ohio, was nearing Naples Airport in southwest Florida when both engines failed, according to a statement from the National Transportation Safety Board.
The jet's emergency landing attempt was unsuccessful. After hitting several vehicles, it burst into flames.
A tragic incident on the highway: the jet bursts into flames
The airport spokesperson informed AFP that the air traffic controller immediately granted permission for an emergency landing at Naples Airport. However, the pilot stated that they would not be able to reach the runway and would instead attempt a landing on the I-75, an interstate highway linking the Great Lakes region in the north to Florida in the south.
The jet was carrying five occupants. Two were killed, while the remaining three survived. As of today, February 13, 2024, social media reports have confirmed that the two pilots, 50-year-old Daniel Murphy and 65-year-old Ian Frederick Hofmann, were killed in the crash.
"In the accident, pilots Daniel Murphy, 50 and Ian Frederick Hofmann, 65 were killed," announced American businessman Collin Rugg on platform X.
Video footage shows the aircraft bursting into flames after initially colliding with two cars and a truck.
An investigation is already underway to determine the cause of this unfortunate incident.
