Tragedy on I-195: Rhode Island Couple Killed in Fiery Plane Crash in Dartmouth, Massachusetts
DARTMOUTH, Massachusetts (October 13, 2025) — A devastating plane crash early Monday morning claimed the lives of a Rhode Island couple after their single-engine aircraft went down on Interstate 195 in southern Massachusetts, erupting into flames upon impact and leaving behind a scene of chaos and grief.
The crash occurred at approximately 8:15 a.m., as the small aircraft attempted what appeared to be an emergency landing on the grassy median of I-195 near Exit 22 in Dartmouth. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the aircraft descending rapidly before hitting the ground and immediately bursting into flames, sending thick black smoke into the morning sky and halting traffic in both directions.
According to the Massachusetts State Police, both occupants aboard the plane were killed in the crash. In a statement released just hours after the incident, the agency confirmed the fatalities and offered condolences to the victims’ families.
“This morning’s incident has resulted in the death of two individuals aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash,” the statement read. “We offer our condolences to their families and loved ones as they process this unimaginable loss.”
Later in the day, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn identified the victims as Thomas Perkins, 68, and Agatha Perkins, 66, a married couple from Middletown, Rhode Island. According to authorities, both were found inside the mangled fuselage of the aircraft and were pronounced deceased at the scene.
The aircraft, whose tail number and flight path have not yet been publicly released, was believed to be a single-engine private plane registered in Rhode Island. Preliminary information suggests the couple may have been en route from a small airport in the Ocean State to a destination in Massachusetts or beyond when they experienced technical difficulties mid-flight.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have both launched investigations into the crash. Investigators are expected to comb through wreckage over the coming days, recover the aircraft’s flight data, and analyze radio communication logs in an effort to determine what caused the plane to go down.
While the crash site was quickly secured by emergency responders, it was a harrowing scene for early-morning commuters. Several drivers pulled over and called 911 as flames engulfed the wreckage just feet from the active highway lanes.
One passing motorist suffered non-life-threatening injuries when debris from the impact struck their vehicle. That driver, who has not yet been identified, was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford for treatment.
Traffic on both the eastbound and westbound sides of I-195 was severely impacted throughout the morning, as authorities closed multiple lanes to allow for rescue and recovery operations. By mid-afternoon, wreckage removal efforts were underway, but officials warned of potential delays into the evening.
Local officials have praised the swift response from Dartmouth Fire and EMS, Massachusetts State Police, and nearby bystanders who attempted to offer help before emergency crews arrived.
The deaths of Thomas and Agatha Perkins have sent shockwaves through their Middletown community, where the couple was well known and active in local affairs. Neighbors describe them as kind, generous, and passionate about aviation—a shared hobby they had enjoyed for years.
“They were incredibly experienced and careful pilots,” said a friend and fellow aviator. “This is just heartbreaking.”
The investigation into what led to the fatal crash remains ongoing. Officials with the NTSB said a preliminary report could be released within a week, but a full investigation may take several months to complete.
As the community mourns, the tragic event serves as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with private aviation, even for seasoned pilots.
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