Plane crashes onto a Massachusetts highway, killing 2 and wounding 1 on the ground

DARTMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — A small plane crashed along a major highway in southeastern Massachusetts early Monday amid rain and strong winds, killing both people on board and wounding another person on the ground, authorities said.

In videos shot by people in passing vehicles, smoke could be seen billowing above Interstate 195 from scattered, blazing debris. The highway was closed in both directions near the crash site in Dartmouth, a town about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Boston, the state Department of Transportation said.

The Massachusetts State Police said in a statement it was not aware of any survivors on the plane, which it said may have been attempting to land at New Bedford Regional Airport. Officials said it does not appear the pilot provided the airport with a flight plan or passenger details.

A spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating the crash, saying a Socata TBM-700 had departed from the New Bedford airport.

No information about the people on board is being made public pending notification of next of kin, authorities said.

A person on the ground was taken to a hospital, state police said.

In a Facebook post, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell extended his condolences to the loved ones of those lost in the “tragic plane crash.” New Bedford Regional Airport officials are prepared to support the National Transportation Safety Board in its investigation, Mitchell said.

“I am grateful that the crash miraculously did not result in serious injuries to motorists on Interstate 195,” he said.

At the time of the crash, the National Weather Service said a nor’easter had brought rain and winds from 30 to 40 mph (48 to 64 kph) to the area.

The Federal Aviation Administration, which state police said would likely take over the investigation, said in an email that it could not respond to media inquiries due to the government shutdown.