1. Pilot and co-pilot fatalities in Florida plane crash
2. Florida crash claims lives of pilot and co-pilot.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
The tragic plane crash on a Florida highway that claimed the lives of a pilot and co-pilot has been identified by law enforcement officials. The Collier County sheriff’s office revealed that the deceased were Edward Daniel Murphy, a 50-year-old pilot, and Ian Frederick Hofmann, 65, the co-pilot. Three survivors were also reported, 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 devastating crash, 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 a total of five individuals, 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, with its wing dragging the car before ultimately crashing into a wall. The impact resulted in an explosion, engulfing the scene in flames and billowing black smoke.
Tragically, two fatalities were confirmed by the Collier County sheriff’s office. In response to the incident, federal authorities have initiated an investigation into the crash, which occurred near Naples, just north of the point where the interstate veers east towards Fort Lauderdale along the renowned Alligator Alley.
Notably, the ill-fated plane had departed from Ohio State University Airport in Columbus, Ohio, at approximately 1 p.m. Its intended destination was Naples, and according to Robin King, spokesperson for the Naples Airport Authority, the aircraft was scheduled to land around the time of the crash. The pilot had urgently contacted the airport tower, requesting an emergency landing.
“Got that. Emergency. Clear to land. Runway. Two. Three,” responded the air traffic controller upon receiving the distress call, as confirmed by audio obtained by The Associated Press.
Remaining calm, 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 personnel noticed the plumes of smoke emanating from the interstate just a few miles away, according to King. Firetrucks equipped with special foam were dispatched to the scene, managing to extract three of the five individuals alive from the wreckage.
Brianna Walker, who was a witness to the crash, recounted the harrowing moment when the plane’s wing collided with the car directly in front of hers before striking the wall.
“It’s seconds that separated us from the car in front of us,” she recalled. “The wing pulverized this one car.”
Fortunately, Walker and her friend had spotted the plane moments before impact, allowing them to pull over safely before the crash occurred.
According to FlightAware, an aircraft tracking service, the ill-fated plane was operated by Hop-a-Jet Worldwide Charter, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The aircraft had originally been scheduled to return to Fort Lauderdale on the same Friday afternoon.
In response to the tragedy, Hop-a-Jet issued a statement acknowledging that they had “received confirmed reports of an accident involving one of our leased aircraft near Naples.” The statement further expressed concern for the well-being of the passengers, crew members, and their families, without providing specific details about the crash.
Ohio State University clarified that the aircraft was not affiliated with the institution and had no further information regarding the incident.
Federal authorities have announced that a preliminary report on the cause of the crash will be available within 30 days.
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– “Pilot and co-pilot fatalities in Florida plane crash”
– “Tragic crash in Florida claims lives of pilot and co-pilot”.
