Disturbing air traffic control audio has captured the final moments of a private jet pilot before it crashed onto a Florida freeway, killing two people. The Bombardier Challenger 60 was attempting an emergency landing at Naples Airport when it lost both engines and came down on the I-75 highway outside Naples at 3.15pm on Friday.
The pilot's last transmission revealed the severity of the situation: 'OK, Challenger, Hop-A-Jet 823, lost both engines, emergency. I'm making an emergency landing.' Air traffic control cleared the plane for runway 23, but the pilot responded, 'We're clear to land but we're not gonna make the runway. We've lost both engines.' Seconds of silence followed before unintelligible panic was heard from the cockpit.
The plane crashed 4.7 miles short of the airport, killing two of the five people on board. Three survived, but their condition has not been disclosed. None of those on board have been identified. Experts have suggested a bird strike may have caused the engine failure, though the official cause remains under investigation.
Dramatic footage from motorists showed the wreckage strewn across the highway, with an explosion rocking the burning plane and its charred left wing falling off. At least one bystander rushed toward the wreck to assist survivors despite the danger. The flight originated from Ohio State University Airport, though the university confirmed the plane merely used its facilities and had no connection to the institution.
The aircraft was operated by Hop-a-Jet, a Florida-based charter company, which stated it would send a team to the crash site and expressed concern for passengers, crew, and their families. The highway was closed for hours, with southbound lanes expected to remain shut for at least 24 hours.
