A plane crash was reported in Asheville, North Carolina, on Thursday night, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The crash occurred on Interstate 26 near mile marker 97, only 2.4 miles away from Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), where a small plane, Diamond DA40, caught fire.
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Earlier, the pilot reported to ATC that the aircraft was suffering low engine oil pressure and declared an emergency. Despite his persistent attempts to reach the airport, the DA40 steep-dived and crashed on the highway. The pilot and passenger of the plane were able to escape from the wreckage and were rescued by emergency crews. They were taken to a hospital in Columbia for treatment of minor injuries.
This is not the first time a plane has crashed on an interstate in North Carolina. In February 2022, a pilot died after his plane hit a tractor-trailer on Interstate 85 near Lexington. The pilot was flying from Lexington Airport to Charlotte when he experienced mechanical problems and lost control. He crashed into the back of a tractor-trailer that was traveling south on I-85 and ignited a fire.
Interstate 26 is one of the busiest highways in North Carolina, connecting Charlotte with Asheville and other cities. It is also known as the Blue Ridge Parkway for its scenic views of the mountains. The highway has several exits for airports, including Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Asheville Regional Airport, and Hendersonville Regional Airport.
