Merritt Island – Florida authorities are investigating a rare and alarming incident Monday evening after a fixed-wing Beechcraft 55 made an emergency landing on Interstate-95 in Merritt Island, striking a moving car and injuring its driver. The crash occurred around 5:45 p.m. local time, according to reporting from Fox News.
The aircraft, flown by a 27-year-old pilot with a 27-year-old passenger onboard, reportedly suffered engine trouble moments before attempting the unexpected freeway landing. Both men escaped unharmed.
Driver Injured After Plane Lands on Her Car
The plane collided with a 2023 Toyota Camry, injuring its 57-year-old driver, who sustained minor injuries. Early reports indicate the aircraft made contact with the top of the vehicle before skidding across the roadway.
A second vehicle traveling behind the Camry captured the crash on dash cam. The driver, Jim Coffey, described the moment to Spectrum News 13: “I just saw this plane drop out of the sky.” His son, Peter Coffey, added that he watched helplessly as the plane aligned with the Camry: “I thought it might avoid the car, but bam — the wheel hit right on the back.”
Investigators Reviewing What Went Wrong
The Federal Aviation Administration and the Florida Highway Patrol have opened investigations, a standard procedure in emergency landings involving public roadways. Aircraft-on-highway incidents remain extremely rare, though aviation experts note that pilots are trained to seek the safest possible landing site during engine failures.
For commuters on I-95, the episode serves as a jarring reminder of the unpredictability of emergency aviation events — and the quick decisions required to prevent greater tragedy.
