A small plane narrowly avoided disaster Saturday when it was forced to make an emergency landing on Interstate 75 in North Fort Myers, Florida, striking a pickup truck in the process. The incident occurred just days after a deadly private jet crash in the state that killed all nine people aboard.
The Cessna 172D Skyhawk experienced mechanical problems about 50 minutes after taking off from a Central Florida private airport, according to flight tracking data reviewed by the New York Post. Video footage shows the moment the plane’s wing clipped the back of a pickup truck as it touched down on the busy highway at high speed.
‘It Landed 20 Feet Behind Me’
Brandon Hinson, another truck driver on the highway, told WGCU he had to accelerate to avoid the descending aircraft. “It landed probably 20, maybe 30 feet behind the truck and trailer I was driving,” Hinson said. He praised the pilot’s skill in managing the dangerous situation, calling himself “blessed” that the landing didn’t cause more damage.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno confirmed no injuries resulted from the incident. “Given the recent tragic news involving aviation accidents, we are especially grateful that everyone is safe,” Marceno said in a statement.
Second Aviation Scare in a Week
The close call comes less than a week after a catastrophic private jet crash in South Florida that killed all nine people on board. Audio from that flight’s final moments revealed panicked crew members warning air traffic controllers about losing control before the plane plunged to the ground at an estimated 20,000 feet per minute.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating both incidents. Authorities have not disclosed details about the mechanical failure that forced Saturday’s emergency landing or identified the pilots and truck driver involved.
State and federal crews successfully removed the Cessna from the highway and reopened I-75 following the incident. The investigation into what caused the mechanical failure continues.
Source: www.dailywire.com โ https://www.dailywire.com/news/another-private-plane-emergency-in-florida-days-after-deadly-jet-crash