JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 2004 Cirrus single-engine plane made an emergency landing on Interstate 295 near the intersection of I-95 just before 10 p.m. Saturday, causing some second looks and some traffic delays, but with no injuries.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the plane, flown by David Rowe, 30, from Winston Salem, N.C., was experiencing engine problems and put the plane down in the southbound lanes just north of the I-95 interchange.
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According to its flight plan, the plane was coming from Orlando and was heading for Craig Airport. The FHP said passenger/student pilot Sean Kristopher, 20, of Layton, Utah, was also on board.
Troopers said the plane avoided hitting any vehicles, but a pickup truck did clip a wing of the plane after it was on the ground, causing about $1,500 damage to the plane. The pickup did not stop after the accident.
A trooper said the driver of the only car on the road at the time saw the landing plane in the rear view mirror and sped up to avoid it.
After the landing, the pilot and passenger pushed the plane to the side of the highway, opening up the highway to traffic on all but one lane.
"I would say we're extremely lucky no other vehicles were involved," FHP Sgt. Dennis Smith said.
The FHP said the plane would be towed off the highway. The Federal Aviation Authority was expected to investigate the emergency landing