Small Plane Makes Rush Hour Landing on Maine Interstate

The small city of Falmouth, Maine, with its population of just over 11,000 got a big surprise yesterday when a small plane made an emergency landing on the interstate. The incident occurred yesterday evening and caused a traffic backup ten miles long. Now, Falmouth may be a small city, but it is part of Metro-Portland and at the rush hour sees heavy traffic.

“It was amazing,” said state Trooper Justin Cooley. “He landed in the middle of the road. It was luck. I don’t know any other way to put it.”

The pilot was attempting to fly into Portland from Waterville when the single engine Cessna 152 began having engine problems. The pilot made the call that the plane would not be able to make it to the airport and make the emergency landing along I-295. Call it skill or a kiss from Lady Luck, but the pilot made the landing without causing harm to any person or vehicle. While hundreds of people were inconvenienced by the busy interstate backup, everyone including the pilot has another day of life to enjoy.

“He tried to get power back to the engine and was unable to do so, and at that point his only option was to put down on the interstate. He landed at about mile 13 southbound in Cumberland,” Cooley said. “He came to a final rest on the median at 13 southbound.”

One witness described seeing the plane fly overhead and subsequently seeing red break lights flashing ahead as cars began slowing down and passing by the aircraft. The state’s DOT was expecting to get a flatbed truck on site to tow the plane away. The NTSB is investigating the incident.

On the Web:
Airplane lands on busy Maine interstate during rush hour
http://www.klewtv.com/news/national/Airplane-lands-on-busy-Maine-interstate-during-rush-hour-232942601.html