Table of Contents
- Crash Details: What Happened?
- Emergency Response and Highway Closure
- Victims and Injuries
- FAA and NTSB Launch Investigation
- Local Community Reacts
- Sources
Small Plane Crashes on Massachusetts Highway—What Happened?
A small plane crashed into a grassy median on Interstate 195 in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, on the morning of October 13, 2025, killing both people on board and injuring one person on the ground. The small plane crash sent shockwaves through the quiet coastal town, prompting an immediate multi-agency emergency response.
According to the Massachusetts State Police, the incident occurred around 8:15 a.m., roughly 30 miles southeast of Providence, Rhode Island. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft descend rapidly before striking the median and bursting into flames.
Emergency Response and Highway Closure
Interstate 195 was shut down in both directions for several hours as firefighters, police, and medical crews rushed to the scene. Thick smoke and debris made access difficult, and authorities urged commuters to avoid the area entirely.
“This is an active incident scene,” said Trooper Matthew Delaney in a morning briefing. “Our priority is securing the area, supporting the injured, and beginning the investigative process.”
The closure caused significant delays during the morning rush hour, with traffic backed up for miles on I-195 and nearby Route 6.
Victims and Injuries
Tragically, both occupants of the aircraft died at the scene. Their identities have not yet been released pending family notification. One person on the ground—a motorist traveling on I-195—sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital by car, according to state police.
Local residents described the moment as “surreal” and “terrifying.”
“I heard a loud bang, then saw black smoke rising from the median,” said Sarah Lin, a Dartmouth commuter. “It looked like something out of a movie—except it was real, and people were hurt.”
FAA and NTSB Launch Investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a joint investigation into the cause of the small plane crash. Early reports suggest the aircraft may have experienced mechanical failure, but officials stress it’s too soon to determine a definitive cause.
The plane’s registration number and departure point have not been disclosed, though aviation experts note that Southeastern Massachusetts is home to several small airfields, including the New Bedford Regional Airport just 10 miles from the crash site.
Local Community Reacts
Dartmouth, a town of about 35,000 residents, is no stranger to highway traffic—but a plane crash on I-195 is unprecedented. Local officials expressed gratitude that the plane struck a median rather than a vehicle, which could have resulted in far greater casualties.
“It’s a miracle it wasn’t worse,” said Dartmouth Fire Chief Elena Martinez. “Our crews train for all kinds of emergencies, but you never expect something like this on a Sunday morning.”
Counseling services have been made available to first responders and witnesses affected by the traumatic event.
Sources
The New York Times: Small Plane Crashes on Massachusetts Highway, Killing 2
