“Florida Plane Crash Claims Lives of Pilot Edward Daniel Murphy and Co-pilot Ian Frederick Hofmann”

Tragic Plane Crash Claims Lives of Pilot and Co-Pilot on Florida Highway

A pilot and co-pilot tragically lost their lives in a fatal plane crash on a Florida highway, according to law enforcement officials who revealed the devastating news on Saturday afternoon.

The deceased have been identified as Edward Daniel Murphy, a 50-year-old pilot, and co-pilot Ian Frederick Hofmann, 65, as confirmed by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. The crash also left three survivors, including crew member Sydney Ann Bosmans, 23, and passengers Aaron Baker, 35, and Audra Green, 23, both from Columbus, Ohio. The survivors were immediately transported to a local hospital for treatment, and their current conditions remain unknown.

Prior to the tragic incident, the pilot calmly communicated to an airport controller that the aircraft “was not going to make the runway” due to the loss of both engines.

The private jet, carrying five people, was en route to Naples Airport when it attempted an emergency landing on Interstate 75 on Friday afternoon. Eyewitnesses reported that the plane collided with a vehicle, causing the wing to drag a car before crashing into a wall. The impact resulted in a devastating explosion, with thick smoke and flames engulfing the scene.

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two individuals lost their lives in the crash.

Federal authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident, which occurred near Naples, just north of the section of the interstate leading east towards Fort Lauderdale, commonly referred to as Alligator Alley.

The ill-fated plane had departed from Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, at approximately 1 p.m. Its intended destination was Naples, with an expected arrival time coinciding with the time of the crash. Robin King, spokesperson for the Naples Airport Authority, stated that the pilot had contacted the tower requesting an emergency landing.

In audio obtained by The Associated Press, the air traffic controller responded to the pilot, saying, “Got that. Emergency. Clear to land. Runway. Two. Three.”

Calmly, the pilot replied, “We’re clear to land, but we’re not gonna make the runway. We’ve lost both engines.”

Subsequently, communication with the tower was lost, and airport workers noticed the billowing smoke just a few miles away from the airport, according to Robin King.

Upon learning of the crash, fire trucks equipped with special foam were dispatched to the scene. Remarkably, three out of the five individuals on board were rescued from the wreckage alive.

Brianna Walker, who witnessed the incident, described how the plane’s wing collided with the car in front of hers before crashing into the wall. She said, “It’s seconds that separated us from the car in front of us. The wing pulverized this one car.”

Walker and her friend had spotted the plane moments before it descended onto the highway, enabling her friend to pull over before the crash occurred.

“The plane was over our heads by inches,” Walker recounted. “It took a hard right and skid across the highway.”

According to FlightAware, an aircraft tracker, the plane was operated by Hop-a-Jet Worldwide Charter, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The aircraft was scheduled to return to Fort Lauderdale later that afternoon.

In response to the incident, Hop-a-Jet issued a statement Friday night, acknowledging the accident involving one of their leased aircraft near Naples. The statement expressed concern for the well-being of the passengers, crew members, and their families. However, specific details regarding the crash were not included in the statement.

Ohio State University clarified that the aircraft was not affiliated with the university and stated that they had no further information regarding it.

Federal authorities have announced that a preliminary report investigating the cause of the crash will be released within 30 days.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to receive comprehensive news coverage from EL PAÍS USA Edition.