Plane makes emergency landing on interstate surrounded by drivers

by · Mail Online

A small plane made a seamless emergency landing on an interstate, leaving drivers stunned. 

The aircraft took off from New Jersey on Saturday morning en route to Indiana when the pilot reported engine issues, according to ABC7.

Radio transmissions showed that the pilot was hesitant to land on the roadway but had no other option. 

Shocking video from a witness’s dashcam showed the plane soaring overhead as it descended onto Interstate 78 in Allentown. 

As it neared the ground, the plane tipped back and forth, before landing smoothly onto the highway.

On board the aircraft were a 65-year-old pilot from Michigan and a 34-year-old female passenger from New Jersey. 

Both occupants of the plane were unharmed, and no drivers on the road were injured. 

A small plane from New Jersey en route to Indiana made a seamless emergency landing on an interstate in Pennsylvania, leaving drivers stunned
Stunning video from a witness’s dashcam showed the plane soaring overhead as it descended onto Interstate 78 in Allentown

'It was an Easter miracle,' Victor Machese, who witnessed the landing, told ABC7.

'[The pilot] landed in two lanes. His wings were literally from almost the center median to the grass on the other side,' Machese recalled.

'He didn't look like he was freaking out, he was just looking straight ahead.'

Emily Rivera posted the viral dashcam video while driving from Harrisburg to Lehigh Valley.

She never would have believed she had witnessed the pilot’s flawless landing.

'Honestly I was in disbelief because I never expected a plane to land in front of me,' Rivera said to NBC.

Weisenberg Volunteer Fire Chief Justin Oswald said that multiple emergency agencies quickly sprang into action to assist at the scene. 

'This is probably the best possible outcome for this type of incident we could see,' he told ABC7.

Multiple emergency agencies quickly sprang into action to assist at the scene
First responders and firefighters, along with good Sanitarians, are seen helping out at the scene
Fire trucks and two trucks helped to move the aircraft from the busy interstate
Many witnesses applauded the pilot for staying calm and executing a safe landing

The aircraft was towed to a nearby airport in Allentown, with some vehicles escorting it to clear the way and others blocking exits to manage traffic. 

'It's one of those things that you don't necessarily train for. You don't anticipate an aircraft landing on your highway,' Oswald told the outlet. 

'Everybody worked together very well to do something we don't run into every day.' 

The Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating the incident.