Pilot's Emergency Landing On I-5 Southbound Saved Lives, Cops Say

ORANGE COUNTY, CA —A small airplane landed near San Clemente, rather than its San Diego destination, Monday. How it got there could have saved lives, including that of the pilot, officials say.

According to Ian Gregor, spokesperson for the FAA, the single-engine Piper PA24 made an emergency landing on the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 near Basilone Road around 12:45 p.m. California Highway Patrol Officers reported that the pilot began experiencing "mechanical issues" over the Camp Pendleton area.

According to CHP Officer Mark Latulippe, "the pilot had a bad situation and did an admirable job," landing a plane with engine failure. The pilot had to choose between landing on the narrow stretch of Pacific Coast Highway, west of the freeway, or on the freeway lanes.

"He was concerned with the width of his wingspan that PCH wouldn't accommodate him, and saw a nice break of the traffic on the freeway lanes," Latulippe told Patch. The pilot glided to a landing and steered to the right shoulder, where he now awaits the craft's removal.

Shortly after stopping, the pilot "pushed the aircraft out of the lanes, and away from all traffic. Slowing is the result of "lookie-loo" traffic at the novelty of seeing a small aircraft on the side of the road.

"The pilot's been flying for 18 years, and both his experience and a lot of luck helped us," Latulippe told Patch.

The pilot requested his privacy while he deals with the safe removal of his craft from the freeway to a nearby Oceanside airport.

Drivers were told to expect delays until at least 7 p.m. as they negotiate the removal of the craft.

The pilot was the only person on board. A San Diego resident, the pilot, was flying from John Wayne Airport to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. The FAA will be investigating the cause of the crash.

I-5 SB south of Basilone. Use caution in the area and expect delays. Airplane landed on the freeway due to mechanical failure. No injuries, no vehicles hit. Plane is fully on right shoulder. Unknown duration for removal. Stay safe. pic.twitter.com/3Gb5YTu20M
— CHP OCEANSIDE AREA (@CHP_Oceanside) July 27, 2020

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