Plane crashes on I-195 median in Dartmouth during nor'easter

A small fixed-wing airplane crashed into the median of Interstate 195 in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, Monday morning around 8:15 a.m., igniting a fire, sending a plume of smoke into the air and prompting officials to close portions of the highway, state authorities said.

Massachusetts State Police said the aircraft came down on the median of the east-west highway near Exit 19 while emergency crews were responding. Initial reports indicate the plane may have been attempting to land at New Bedford Regional Airport, roughly an hour and a half south of Boston, but officials say it does not appear the pilot filed a flight plan or provided passenger details to the airport. At the time of the reports, the identities of the pilot and any passengers and the extent of injuries, if any, were not available.

Videos taken by passing motorists showed scattered, blazing debris and billowing smoke above the interstate. State troopers assigned to the Bristol County State Police Detective Unit, along with the Crime Services Section and Field Services, responded to the scene. New Bedford and Fall River police, fire and emergency medical crews also attended, officials said.