A peaceful morning drive turned tragic when a small plane crashed onto a busy Massachusetts highway, killing a married couple.

The aircraft burst into flames after hitting a vehicle on Interstate 195 in Dartmouth around 8:15 a.m. Local police confirmed that Thomas Perkins, 68, and his wife Agatha, 66, both from Rhode Island, lost their lives. A driver on the ground was also injured. “It happened in seconds — fire everywhere,” said one shocked witness.

The Socata TBM 700 turboprop reportedly tried to land at a nearby airport but was caught in heavy rain and strong winds. Authorities believe the pilot hadn’t filed a flight plan, making rescue coordination difficult. Photos show the wreckage lying on its side, charred and broken, surrounded by scattered debris.

The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation. The highway remains closed as emergency crews clear the scene. “Life can change in a heartbeat,” said a local resident. This heartbreaking crash is yet another reminder of how fragile life — and flight — can be.