Wednesday

06-11-2025 Vol 1988

Tragic Plane Crash on I-285: A Day of Loss and Heroism

On May 8, 2015, a tragic plane crash along I-285 in Doraville marked a somber day in the history of traffic incidents in Atlanta.

At approximately 10:10 a.m., a Piper PA-32R-300 aircraft took off from DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, carrying four individuals who were en route to a graduation ceremony at Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi.

Shortly after takeoff, the flight encountered difficulties due to a contaminated fuel line, as indicated in the NTSB report.

The pilot’s final communication to air traffic control was alarming: “we’re going down here at the intersection.”

Moments later, the plane crashed into the median wall of I-285, positioned between the exit and entrance ramps at Peachtree Boulevard (Exit 31).

While all four occupants of the plane tragically lost their lives, it is noteworthy that the incident did not result in injuries to people on the ground, despite the significant danger posed by the crash.

Dashcam footage from a nearby police vehicle revealed the aircraft wobbling precariously over the highway before it vanished from sight, followed by a towering column of black smoke.

When officers arrived, they found the plane completely destroyed and engulfed in flames, while motorists navigated past the burning wreckage.

Remarkably, the plummeting aircraft only grazed the mirror of a passing truck, avoiding a potentially catastrophic outcome.

The timing of the crash was crucial; if the trajectory had been even slightly different, the aftermath could have been far more devastating.

At the time of the incident, WSB Skycopter had just refueled for a scheduled appearance at a career day in Douglasville.

As the smoke rose from the wreckage, the helicopter crew initially assumed it was a large vehicle fire and decided to continue their journey to the school.

However, Smilin’ Mark McKay, the morning drive traffic lead anchor, was still in the vicinity after finishing his shift and quickly responded, providing real-time updates from the scene.

McKay parked on a grassy shoulder and joined other media personnel to witness the devastation caused by the crash, which was unfolding just minutes after the aircraft went down.

Following their appearance at the school, the helicopter crew received the call to return to the scene for coverage relief, as other news helicopters needed to refuel.

Upon arriving back at the site, they found I-285 entirely shut down in both directions, with first responders cordoning off a substantial area around the wreckage.

DeKalb police redirected northbound and westbound traffic onto I-85, and eastbound traffic onto GA-400.

Interestingly, Peachtree Boulevard traffic was still allowed access to I-285 since the crash lay between the ramps, leading to significant traffic congestion.

As news of the incident spread, traffic around the area quickly became overwhelmed.

By noon, the fire had been extinguished, and crews began the process of reopening I-285/westbound.

The helicopter crew maintained constant aerial observation and managed to land about an hour before tension filled the afternoon rush hour.

Arriving back on the ground, McKay had already been documenting the cleanup efforts for several hours when the crew took over.

It was widely anticipated that I-285/eastbound would remain closed throughout the evening rush due to ongoing investigations.

In an unexpected turn of events, however, by 3 p.m., HERO units and police began to gradually reopen the eastbound lanes, allowing traffic to flow once again.

Typically, when accidents occur during busy times, disruption leads to major delays; however, this day proved to be different.

Many commuters had chosen alternative routes out of concern for the scene, resulting in minimal delays once the roadway reopened.

While traffic remained heavy in surrounding areas, the response to the accident demonstrated an extraordinary ability to manage the situation efficiently.

The I-285 plane crash at Peachtree Boulevard may not hold the same fame as past disasters like Snowmageddon in 2014 or the I-85 bridge collapse in 2017, but it remains a significant event in Atlanta’s traffic history.

The coordinated efforts among police departments and the swift actions of first responders helped limit further tragedy.

Above all, May 8, 2015, remains a day of painful remembrance for the families and friends of those who lost their lives.

In a testament to resilience, the families of the victims established an Ole Miss scholarship fund that has surpassed its initial goals, turning a tragic loss into a legacy of hope and support.

image source from:https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/gridlock-guy-how-quick-response-mitigated-one-of-atlantas-most-memorable-accidents/FUYEAV6QRFGP5OS3TOCAGUPDW4/

Abigail Harper