Fatal Plane Crash on Massachusetts Highway Amid Severe Storm

13 Oct, 2025

By Eli Sachs

A small fixed-wing airplane crashed and burst into flames on Interstate 195 in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, on Monday morning, killing at least two people as a powerful nor'easter battered the region with heavy rain and high winds.​

Massachusetts State Police received reports of the crash at approximately 8:15 a.m., with troopers arriving to find the aircraft engulfed in flames in the grassy median near Exit 19. The impact forced the closure of all westbound lanes and one eastbound lane of the major highway, creating significant traffic disruptions expected to last several hours.​

Emergency responders from multiple agencies, including Massachusetts State Police, New Bedford Police, Fall River Police, and EMS personnel, converged on the crash site. Video footage from the scene showed emergency crews gathered around smoldering wreckage in heavy rain, with a damaged vehicle also visible in the median.​

Preliminary investigation indicates the pilot may have been attempting an emergency landing at New Bedford Regional Airport, located near the crash site. However, state police noted a troubling detail in their initial statement:

"The plane may have been attempting to land at New Bedford Regional Airport, though it does not appear that the pilot provided the airport with a flight plan or the number of souls aboard the aircraft."

Authorities initially had no information about the identities of those on board or the total number of passengers. Later reports confirmed at least two fatalities, according to sources cited by local news outlets.

The crash occurred as a fall nor'easter swept through Massachusetts, bringing dangerous flying conditions to the region. The National Weather Service reported wind gusts reaching up to 55 mph and rainfall totals approaching four inches in some areas. Winds at the time of the crash ranged from 30 to 40 mph.​

The extreme weather raised immediate questions about whether atmospheric conditions contributed to the emergency, though investigators have not yet determined the cause of the crash.​

An unusual complication has affected the investigation: the Federal Aviation Administration was unable to provide its typical response to the incident. In a statement shared with local news outlets, the FAA explained:​

"Due to a lapse in funding, the FAA is not responding to routine media inquiries."​

This limitation stems from an ongoing government shutdown that has restricted the agency's operations.​

The Bristol County State Police Detective Unit has taken the lead on investigating the crash. Investigators face the challenge of determining what caused the pilot to lose control and whether the severe weather, mechanical failure, or other factors played a role in the tragedy.​

The crash site, located approximately 57 miles south of Boston and 28 miles southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, remained an active investigation scene throughout Monday morning.​

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