On Thursday night, a single-engine plane carrying two passengers crash-landed onto a bustling freeway in North Carolina, resulting in a dramatic and fiery wreckage swiftly addressed by first responders.
The aircraft, identified as a Diamond DA-40, met its unfortunate end on Interstate 26 near Asheville Regional Airport, as confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
While the well-being of the passengers remains uncertain, a dispatch call from Buncombe County Fire Department, recorded on Thursday night and shared on Broadcastify, conveyed that both occupants successfully exited the plane.
The alarming incident unfolded after the pilot issued a distress call to Asheville Regional Airport, moments before the crash. Audio obtained from the Live ATC website and reported by WRAL captured the pilot’s urgent message, indicating oil pressure failure and two engine control unit (ECU) failures. The distress call continued with the pilot expressing doubts about making a safe landing and requesting assistance from anything nearby.
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The airport verified that a small plane had contacted them for potential aid at 8:10 p.m. on Thursday. However, the aircraft did not reach the airfield and was compelled to land on Interstate 26 north of the airport, according to a spokesperson.
A video shared by a motorist who witnessed the aftermath depicted the plane engulfed in flames, emitting thick smoke into the sky. An audible explosion punctuated the scene as the driver passed the blaze on the opposite side of the freeway.
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Due to the incident, the North Carolina Department of Transport anticipates the closure of Interstate 26 between Airport Road and Long Shoals Road until at least 11 a.m. on Friday, allowing time for power line repairs.