Photo: Florida Highway Patrol
A small Beechcraft 55 aircraft crashed into traffic on Interstate 95 near Cocoa, Florida, on Monday evening (December 8). The plane attempted an emergency landing after the pilot reported engine problems. It collided with a 2023 Toyota Camry driven by a 57-year-old Melbourne woman, who sustained minor injuries and was taken to Viera Hospital for treatment. The pilot and a passenger, both 27-year-old men, were not injured in the incident.
The crash occurred around 5:45 p.m., during the evening commute, causing significant traffic disruptions as debris scattered across the highway. The aircraft, owned by Tailwinds Flying, came to rest partially atop a concrete barrier. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will lead the investigation into the crash, while the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) will investigate the vehicle collision.
The highway was cleared and reopened shortly before 9 p.m., restoring normal traffic flow. The FAA and FHP continue their investigations to determine the cause of the emergency landing.
This was one of two emergency plane landings in Central Florida on the same day. Earlier, a Cessna 172 made an emergency landing in DeLand, resulting in injuries to two people.