Small Plane Crash-Lands on Busy Florida Interstate, Striking Car and Injuring Motorist

In a rare and dramatic incident on Interstate 95 in Brevard County, Florida, a small twin-engine plane made an emergency landing directly onto a moving vehicle during rush hour on December 9, 2025. The emergency landing occurred after the aircraft reportedly suffered engine power loss, and the pilot was forced to bring it down amid heavy traffic.

Dashcam footage widely circulated online shows the aircraft descending onto the southbound lanes of I-95 and colliding with a Toyota Camry, operated by a 57-year-old woman. Safety crews transported the driver to a nearby hospital with minor injuries, while the pilot and his passenger — both in their late 20s — escaped the crash without harm, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The unusual nature of this crash — a plane landing on an interstate highway — immediately drew attention from motorists and emergency responders. Witnesses reported the terrifying moment the plane touched down, narrowly missing multiple vehicles before striking the Camry.

While most personal injury accidents on public roadways involve other cars, trucks, or pedestrians, aircraft emergencies introduce an entirely different set of hazards:

• Uncontrolled landing locations: When an aircraft experiences engine trouble or mechanical failure, pilots may be forced to attempt improvised landings where no runway exists — such as highways, fields, or parking lots. These landings significantly increase the risk to motorists and bystanders.
• Severity of impact: Even when injuries are classified as “minor,” trauma from such collisions can lead to delayed symptoms — neck injuries, internal bruising, or neurological issues — that may not be immediately apparent.
• Investigation and liability: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) typically investigates these incidents to understand causes like mechanical failures, maintenance history, and pilot communications, producing reports that may be critical for legal claims.

In other rare cases, small aircraft have crashed on highways or other populated areas with much more severe outcomes, including fatalities and major injuries to those on the ground.

Accidents involving aircraft and vehicles raise unique legal questions. Beyond typical car-crash considerations, there can be overlapping issues involving aviation law, mechanical liability, pilot actions, and roadway safety. For example:

• Was there mechanical failure that could point to manufacturer or maintenance liability?
• Did the pilot follow all applicable aviation safety procedures when reporting engine problems?
• What role did weather or environmental factors play in forcing the emergency landing?
• How do aviation-specific investigations (NTSB, FAA) intersect with civil claims for injury or property damage?

These elements often require specialists who understand both roadway accident law and aviation-related liability.

At Makkabi Law Group, we assist victims and families affected by personal injury accidents — including rare and complex crashes like this one. Our experienced attorneys can help you:

• Review investigation findings: Integrating data from NTSB, FAA, and law enforcement to build a clear picture of liability.
• Document injuries and losses: Even “minor” hospital visits can precede long-term impacts like soft-tissue damage, chronic pain, or missed work, all of which may be included in compensation claims.
• Coordinate with experts: Aviation experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and medical professionals can play a key role in establishing causation and damages.
• Advocate for fair compensation: Whether through insurance negotiations or court proceedings, we work to secure the financial support you deserve after a catastrophic or unusual accident.

This startling emergency landing on Interstate 95 is a stark reminder that accidents involving multiple modes of transportation — whether aircraft, cars, or commercial vehicles — can occur without warning and have significant consequences for those involved. Even when injuries seem minor at first, the physical, emotional, and financial tolls can be substantial.

If you or a loved one was injured in an accident involving a vehicle collision, aircraft emergency landing, or any scenario where someone else’s negligence or mechanical failure played a role, Makkabi Law Group is here to help. We offer trusted legal support to ensure your rights are protected and you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.