by Cocoa, Florida — A small aircraft crashed onto a busy Interstate 95 in Cocoa on Monday evening, colliding with a car in a rare and dramatic accident, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). The unusual incident injured the car’s driver but left the pilot and passenger unharmed.
The Crash
The accident occurred around 5:45 p.m. in the southbound lanes of I-95, involving a fixed-wing multi-engine aircraft and a 2023 Toyota Camry. Dashcam footage captured the moment the plane appeared to drop out of the sky, bouncing on the car as it attempted an emergency landing during the evening rush hour.
Witnesses described the scene as terrifying. Jim Coffey, who was driving nearby, told Spectrum News 13,
“We just saw this plane drop out of the sky. The wheel just smacked right dab on the back of the car.”
His son, Peter Coffey, added that the plane nearly struck their vehicle before colliding with the Camry,
“I thought it might maybe aim around and not hit the car, but bam — it hit.”
Injuries and Response
The 57-year-old female Camry driver was transported to a nearby hospital and suffered only minor injuries, according to FHP officials.
The 27-year-old male pilot from Orlando and his 27-year-old male passenger from Temple Terrace were not injured and remained at the scene, authorities said.
Photos and video from the scene show the car’s crumpled trunk and the plane with its nose and landing gear damaged, highlighting the severity of the collision.
Investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will lead the investigation into the emergency landing, while the FHP will conduct a separate crash investigation to determine how the plane came down onto the interstate. Authorities have not yet released details on what caused the pilot to attempt an emergency landing.
Officials emphasized the unusual nature of the incident, noting that crashes involving interstate roadways are extremely rare.
Community Reaction
Local drivers who witnessed the crash expressed shock and relief that the outcome was not more severe. Despite the dramatic impact, the Camry did not roll, and the driver was able to walk away with only minor injuries, a testament to both luck and the vehicle’s safety features.
“Fortunately, the car didn’t roll; it kind of mashed and went to the side,” said Jim Coffey, recalling the near-miss.
The incident has caused traffic delays in the area, although authorities reported that lanes were eventually cleared and normal traffic resumed.
What safety measures should pilots follow when forced to make emergency landings near highways? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
