Small Plane Lands On US Route 101 In Santa Clara County (Video)

SAN MARTIN, CA — A faulty engine forced a pilot to make an emergency landing in the grassy area that splits the northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. Route 101 near San Martin Airport, federal officials say. Video shows the unassuming plane in the grass in Santa Clara County completely intact — as if nothing was awry — as traffic slows to a crawl about 20 miles south of San Jose.

The plane safely landed around 11 a.m. Sunday.

Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration, told Patch in an email the plane's engine failed.

"A single-engine Piper PA46 experienced engine failure and the pilot landed on the grassy media of Highway 101 near San Martin Airport," he said.

The pilot, the only person on board, was not hurt and the plane sustained no damage. The FAA will investigate.

The passing lane was briefly blocked but the plane has since been moved off the freeway. Currently, no lanes are blocked, a dispatcher told the news outlet.

KCBS reported that the state Highway Patrol must tow the plane to San Martin airport via the southbound lanes.

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— Charlene Nunes (@CharleneNunes) February 18, 2018

What’s with the plane in the middle of 101?!!’ pic.twitter.com/nKeDASwa85
— Charlene Nunes (@CharleneNunes) February 18, 2018

Plane crash landed on 101 northbound freeway in Morgan Hill has southbound traffic halted to a near standstill #breakingnews #plane #crashlanded pic.twitter.com/W8VHZo0Xee
— Joshua Miller (@joshua_miller8) February 18, 2018

Photo credit: Joshua Miller, used with permission