Edward Daniel Murphy : “Private Jet Crash Kills 2 on Florida Interstate: Tragic Accident”

A pilot and co-pilot were tragically killed in a devastating plane crash on a Florida highway, according to law enforcement officials who made the announcement on Saturday afternoon.

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has identified the deceased as 50-year-old pilot Edward Daniel Murphy and 65-year-old co-pilot Ian Frederick Hofmann. The three survivors, who sustained injuries, have been identified as crew member Sydney Ann Bosmans, 23, and passengers Aaron Baker, 35, and Audra Green, 23, all from Columbus, Ohio. The current condition of the survivors remains unknown.

The incident occurred moments after the private jet lost both engines, as reported by the pilot to an airport controller. The pilot calmly informed the controller that the aircraft “was not going to make the runway.”

The jet, carrying five individuals, was en route to Naples airport when it attempted an emergency landing on Interstate 75. Witnesses reported that the plane collided with a vehicle, dragging it along with its wing before crashing into a wall. The impact resulted in a massive explosion, with flames and black smoke billowing from the scene.

Federal authorities have initiated an investigation into the crash, which took place near Naples, just north of the point where the interstate heads east toward Fort Lauderdale along the famous Alligator Alley.

The ill-fated plane had taken off from Ohio State University airport in Columbus, Ohio, at approximately 1 p.m. The intended destination was Naples, and the Naples Airport Authority spokesperson, Robin King, confirmed that the pilot had contacted the tower requesting an emergency landing.

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

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

Contact with the tower was then lost, and shortly afterward, airport workers observed the smoke rising from the interstate just a few miles away, according to King.

In response to the crash, fire trucks equipped with specialized foam were dispatched to the scene. Three out of the five individuals on board were miraculously rescued from the wreckage alive.

Brianna Walker, who was driving on the highway, witnessed the plane’s wing colliding with a car before crashing into the wall.

“It’s only a matter of seconds that separated us from the car in front of us,” she recalled. “The wing completely pulverized that car.”

Walker and her friend had noticed the plane moments before the crash, allowing her friend to pull over safely beforehand.

“The plane was just inches above our heads,” Walker said. “It abruptly veered to the right and skidded across the highway.”

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

Following the crash, Hop-a-Jet released a statement saying they had “received confirmed reports of an accident involving one of our leased aircraft near Naples.” The company also expressed their immediate concern for the well-being of the passengers, crew members, and their families. However, no further details about the crash were provided in the statement.

A spokesperson for Ohio State University clarified that the aircraft involved in the crash is not affiliated with the university, and they have no additional information at this time.

Federal authorities have announced that a preliminary report regarding the cause of the crash is expected to be released within 30 days.

Photos from the Crash Scene:

Smoke and fire fills the air after an airplane crashed on Interstate 75, Friday, Feb. 10, 2024 near Naples, Fla. Federal authorities have launched an investigation to determine why the private jet tried to make an emergency landing on the Florida interstate, colliding with a vehicle and sparking a fiery crash that left two people dead. (Chris O’Conner via AP)

Emergency officials work the scene of a small plane crash on Interstate 75 in Naples, Fla., near Exit 105, Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. Two people were confirmed dead. (Andrew West/The News-Press via AP)

Emergency officials work the scene of a small plane crash on Interstate 75 in Naples, Fla., near Exit 105, Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. Two people were confirmed dead. (Andrew West/The News-Press via AP)

In this image provided by the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Highway Patrol troopers are on the scene of a small airplane landing on southbound Interstate 75 in Naples, Fla., Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. The plane collided with a vehicle as it made the emergency landing. (Florida DOT/The News-Press via AP)

In this image provided by the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Highway Patrol troopers are on the scene of a small airplane landing on southbound Interstate 75 in Naples, Fla., Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. The plane collided with a vehicle as it made the emergency landing. (Florida DOT/The News-Press via AP)