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'Engine issues' cause plane to make emergency landing on highway
This is the second time within a span of just months that a small plane made on an emergency landing on Interstate 185. FOX 5 spoke to the FAA as well as a retired pilot to find out more information on why this keeps happening.
LAGRANGE, Ga. - Traffic was backed up on I-185 Sunday afternoon after a small plane reportedly made an emergency landing on the interstate in LaGrange.
The Troup County Sheriff's Office said the pilot reported engine failure and had to make the split-second decision.
He landed safely near the 36-mile marker close to Harris County, and there were no injuries reported.
"He did land on the roadway and then once emergency vehicles got there, they were actually able to roll the plane off of the interstate to clear it so traffic could open up," Sgt. Stewart Smith told FOX 5.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the plane was a fixed wing single-engine Cessna 150. Only one pilot was on board.
Another small plane made a similar emergency landing on the same strip back on Jan. 24. That day, the interstate was closed for about an hour and a half. Officials said it was also a case of engine failure.
When engine failures happen, pilots say they're forced to make the quick decision of finding the safest place to land.
"You would be kind of digesting how high you are how, how fast you're going – which is gonna combine to basically let you know how far you can get," retired Navy Captain Richard Holloway told FOX 5.
"You're looking for something out in the open as flat as possible, normally, and with as few obstructions and dangers as you can see. So, in a small plane, a long stretch of interstate, particularly if it's not bumper-to-bumper traffic, is going to be one of your better options."
Crews worked Sunday afternoon to get the fuel out and dismantle the plane so it could be towed away from the road.
"I think it's just great that he was able to do what he did without there being any injuries, or striking any vehicles or anything. It was a successful emergency landing," Sgt. Smith said.