From
NBC 4 TV News
Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing On 5 Freeway
Plane Makes Emergency Landing On Freeway
POSTED: 1:12 pm PDT October 10, 2005
UPDATED: 7:29 pm PDT October 10, 2005
LOS ANGELES -- A small plane made an emergency landing Monday afternoon on the 5 Freeway.
The single-engine plane landed on the freeway near the McBean Parkway exit in Valencia. It landed on the side of the southbound freeway.
"We tried to get it restarted, but it wouldn't restart," said pilot Chad Wadsworth. "So, we just made an emergency landing."
Passenger Christian James said Wadsworth flew about 20 feet above the vehicles to let motorists know they planned to land the plane on the highway. He said motorists slowed and provided enough room to land.
"All of the sudden, I heard a plane just whiz over the top of my car," said motorist Victoria Sreden.
Wadsworth eased the plane to a stop on the side of the road.
Traffic was slow through the area, but the plane did not obstruct motorists. All lanes remained open.
No injuries were reported. The landing caused no traffic collisions.
"It appears the plane had some engine problems," said California Highway Patrol officer Tariq Johnson.
A pickup towed the Piper Comanche from the freeway.