Plane makes emergency landing on Arizona highway
MARICOPA, Ariz. — A small plane reporting mechanical trouble made an emergency landing on a highway in south-central Arizona, but none of the three people aboard were injured.
Authorities said the pilot landed on Interstate 8 southwest of Phoenix on Tuesday night after sending a “mayday” distress message to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The pilot, his wife and their 10-year-old daughter were not injured.
Responding officers found the plane on the side of the highway, with one wing protruding into a traffic lane by about 6 feet.
The aircraft was able to taxi a few miles down the freeway with a police escort to a clearing where it will remain until a mechanic can check it out.
A section of the highway partially reopened several hours after the forced landing.
