A couple in California caught an unusual sight on their dashcam this weekend as they filmed a single engine plane making an emergency landing on the highway.
According to local CBS affiliate KPIX, the pilot of the Cessna 172 reported a problem with the plane’s fuel pump and decided to make an emergency landing on Highway 580. The pilot waited for a gap in traffic and slowly landed the plane on the four-lane highway.
The plane landed at approximately 6:45 pm and the skillful landing meant no one was injured, either on the plane or on the ground. The Alameda County Fire Department also noted that the landing didn’t cause any damage to the plane, roadway or any other vehicles.
The incident is currently under investigation, but the plane reportedly took off from Lake Tahoe and was scheduled to land at Hayward Executive Airport in Hayward, California. However, the pilot apparently decided the engine problem was serious enough that it required an immediate landing even though the airport was less than five miles (8 km) away.
Following the landing, the California Highway Patrol quickly arrived on the scene and shut down two lanes of traffic while they investigated the incident and waited for the plane to be towed away. This occurred at approximately 10 pm as the plane was loaded onto a flatbed truck which was then driven to the Hayward Executive Airport.
This isn’t the first time a dashboard has recorded an emergency landing as at least two similar incidents have occurred in Florida within the past year.
Thanks to Giovanni for the tip!
Firefighters & @CHPcastrovalley at the scene of an aircraft emergency landing on WB I-580 near the 164th Ave exit in unincorporated San Leandro. Pilot & passenger are ok, no injuries. No injuries to bystanders or vehicles. No damage to plane or freeway. Cause under investigation pic.twitter.com/ZhRJXxPk5h
— Alameda County Fire (@AlamedaCoFire) August 12, 2018