Flight Emergency: Aircraft Lands on Bay Area Freeway, Causing Commute Delays
A small plane made an emergency landing on Highway 85 in the South Bay on Monday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). CHP spokesperson Ross Lee reported that the pilot successfully landed the single-engine aircraft on the major freeway just after 7 a.m., avoiding any collisions with vehicles. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported.
The plane involved was a CubCrafters CC11, as confirmed by Rick Breitenfeldt, a spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration. The pilot landed in the eastbound lanes, just south of Stevens Creek Boulevard. As of 8:30 a.m., lanes 3 and 4 were closed to traffic, while vehicles were allowed to pass through in the No. 1 and 2 lanes.
While the exact reason for the emergency landing was not disclosed by Lee, KCBS Radio reported that the aircraft may have run out of fuel. Live Caltrans cameras showed traffic stopped near Stevens Creek Boulevard.
“We’re working on a plan to move the plane,” Lee stated. “I can’t say at this moment what that will involve or how long the lane closures will last.”
