Naples plane crash: Two killed after crash landing on I-75, three evacuate

NAPLES, Fla. - Two people were killed after a plane crashed on I-75 in Naples on Friday, according to first responders. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said five people were onboard the Bombardier Challenger 600 jet when it tried to make a landing on I-75 near Pine Ridge Road. They said the plane departed from Ohio State University Airport at around 1 p.m., heading for Naples Municipal Airport. 

Courtesy: Florida DOT

The plane was due to land at the Naples Airport a little before 3:15 p.m., according to the FAA. However, the pilot radioed Naples' Air Traffic Control Tower at about 3:10 p.m. with an emergency. 

Officials said the pilot was reporting that he lost both engines and requested an emergency landing. 

Air traffic controllers cleared the aircraft for a landing when the pilot said he would not make it to the runway at Naples Airport, the FAA said. The Florida Highway Patrol reported that the plane hit two vehicles as it was landing on the highway. 

Courtesy: WINK News. 

Thick black smoke could be seen from traffic cameras in the area where it landed. A photo given to FOX 13 by WINK News in Fort Myers shows the plane engulfed in flames. 

A viewer video that came in via Storyful also showed a truck with its roof torn off. 

Authorities have confirmed that of the five people that were on board, three were able to evacuate the plane. 

FAA officials have closed a large portion of I-75 in the Collier County area while they work to investigate the crash. 

Authorities originally closed off the north and southbound lanes in the area, but the northbound lanes reopened around 7:40 p.m. on Friday. The Collier County Sheriff's Office said traffic closures in the southbound lanes begin at Immokalee Road. 

CCSO and FHP will be assisting the FAA with traffic control and securing the scene while they investigate. Drivers in the area are being asked to seek an alternate route while the closures are in place.