ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) – A small plane crashed on Interstate 26 near Asheville Thursday night, sending two people to the hospital.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that, around 8:15 p.m., a single-engine Diamond DA-40 had crashed on I-26 near the Asheville Regional Airport. The plane was engulfed in flames.
Officials said the plane hit power lines that cross I-26 and one wing hit a tractor-trailer. The truck was damaged, but the driver was not injured according to NCDOT.
Two people who were on the plane were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
The FAA said that the aircraft declared mayday due to engine failure and smoke in the cockpit before going down on the interstate.
All lanes in both directions on the highway were brought to a stop while emergency crews responded to the crash and powerlines.
The right lane of I-26 westbound between Long Shoals Road and Airport Road remained closed Friday morning while crews worked to repair the pavement, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
The road reopened by 1:45 p.m.
The plane was operated by LIFT Training Academy and was on an instructional flight, according to the FAA report.
In a statement, LIFT Academy confirmed one of their training flights made an emergency landing on I-26.
“Our certificated flight instructor used their training and experience to land the aircraft without serious injury to themselves or any injury to persons on the ground,” LIFT Academy said in a statement. “We are proud of the skill and composure our pilot and flight student demonstrated throughout the event and grateful to the first responders who attended to the scene to aid our pilots and secure the site.”
LIFT Academy said they have a team on site assisting the pilots and the NTSB with its investigation.
LIFT said they instituted a 24-hour safety stand down for all operations, per their standard procedures.
Flight tracking website FlightAware said the plane took off from Knoxville Downtown Island Airport after leaving Myrtle Beach International Airport earlier in the day.
The crash is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.
