Plane erupts in flames after crash-landing on NC highway

A small plane crash-landed on a North Carolina highway and erupted in flames — but the two people on board escaped with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The single-engine Diamond DA-40 slammed into Interstate 26 near Asheville Regional Airport about 8:15 p.m. Thursday, the Federal Aviation Administration reported.

One wing hit a tractor-trailer after the plane struck power lines that cross I-26 and burst into flames, WLOS-TV reported, citing the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

The two occupants, who have not been identified, managed to get out of the wreckage before the fire broke out. They were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

No one else was hurt, including the truck driver.

“Mayday! Mayday! We’re losing all engine power,” the pilot radioed air-traffic control, according to LiveATC.net.

“Looks like, honestly, with our best glide we’re probably not going to make it, so if there’s anything else nearby you see that may get us some upflow, let us know,” said the pilot, who then managed to restart the engine.

“We just heard a big bang, though, so we may lose it again here,” the pilot said, adding that the plane had half power and was filling with smoke.

“Aircraft is about four miles from the field. They managed to get their engine back up. They’re at half-power. Two souls on board, 30 gallons of fuel,” the controller said.

Shortly after, the pilot radioed that he’d have to put the plane down on the busy interstate.

“Plane is on the ground and the two passengers made it out before it caught on fire,” the controller then said.

The plane, which was operated by LIFT Academy, left the Myrtle Beach International Airport at 1:51 p.m. before landing in Knoxville, Tennessee, according to FlightAware.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash.

With Post Wires