Lee County Sheriff: No Injuries After Small Plane Strikes Pickup in Florida
The FAA is investigating a mechanical failure that caused an emergency landing near Bayshore Road and Interstate 75.
By Tunde Bailey ·
Two pilots forced an emergency landing of a small plane near Bayshore Road and Interstate 75 in Lee County, Florida, on Sunday. The aircraft collided with the rear of an eastbound pickup truck during the descent. Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno confirmed that no one was injured in the crash.
Sheriff Marceno stated that the pilots were aboard when the plane experienced a mechanical issue. The vehicle was traveling east on Bayshore Road at the time of impact. Authorities secured the scene after the collision occurred.
Marceno expressed relief regarding the outcome, noting that everyone involved was safe. He acknowledged the recent tragic news surrounding aviation accidents in the region. The sheriff specifically thanked patrol agents, FDOT Southwest Florida, and Bayshore Fire Rescue for their response. He noted that their quick action and professionalism were key to the evaluation of the scene.
The Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating the incident. The agency is working closely with local partners to review the specific circumstances that led to the mechanical failure. Sheriff Marceno stated that community safety remains the top priority during this review.
This event follows two other fatal aviation incidents in Florida this week. On Wednesday, Tomas Pendas, 63, died when his Robinson R44 II helicopter crashed into Biscayne Bay near Bill Baggs State Park. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office reported that Pendas was filming boats on the water. Two other men, aged 52 and 27, suffered minor injuries and have been released from the hospital.
On Sunday, a business jet crashed into the ground in Florida after encountering a thunderstorm. Nine people died in that incident. The jet struck the ground with enough force to form a crater and destroy the aircraft. Investigations into that crash are also ongoing.
The FAA will continue its review of the Lee County incident. Local authorities will coordinate with the agency as they gather data from the scene. The mechanical cause of the small plane’s failure has not yet been determined.
