By Mucahit Oktay
NEW YORK (AA) - Two of five passengers onboard a small plane were killed Friday when the aircraft crashed onto a highway in the US state of Florida, according to officials.
Dark smoke rising into the air emanated from the Bombardier Challenger 600 type jet, which crashed onto the southbound lanes of Interstate 75 in southwest Florida.
A statement by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicated that there were five passengers aboard the private jet. The cause of the accident is being investigated in collaboration with local authorities.
The Collier County Sheriff's Office said there were two confirmed deaths in the accident.
No details were provided regarding the identities of those on board the plane that was en route from the state of Ohio to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Highway patrol immediately responded to the accident in the Naples area. The Air Traffic Control agency operating in the region announced that the pilot had reported losing both engines of the aircraft and being unable to make it to the airport.
Footage on social media showed authorities intervening from the air and the ground at the location of the wreckage.
*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul