Flight instructor, student hurt after fiery plane crash on I-26 near Asheville

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By WSOCTV.com News Staff and WLOS Staff

ARDEN, N.C. — A small plane was forced to land on Interstate 26 south of Asheville on Thursday evening, fire officials confirmed with ABC affiliate WLOS.

A flight instructor and student managed to set the Diamond DA40 down on the interstate near the Asheville Regional Airport after reporting engine problems. They hit power lines on the way down and a wing clipped a tractor-trailer before the plane caught on fire between Long Shoals and Airport roads.

[ Plane makes emergency landing at Charlotte airport; all passengers safe ]

The two escaped the crashed plane before it caught on fire. They had non-life-threatening injuries.

Plane makes forced landing, catches fire on N.C. interstate, officials say DEC. 14, 2023 - An Asheville Regional Airport spokesperson said a plane reported problems and said it needed assistance. It then landed on the interstate between Long Shoals and Airport roads. (CREDIT: BRYCE WILLIAMS)

The crash shut down I-26 overnight and reopened Friday afternoon.

The FAA and the NTSB are investigating the cause of the crash.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.