Small plane lands on I-84 after engine failure

Boise, Idaho — (KTVB) All lanes on eastbound Interstate 84 have reopened after a small aircraft landed on the highway near Orchard Street.

The Cessna T210K airplane landed in the lanes about 7 a.m. The plane’s pilot reported his engine had failed in midair, according to the Idaho Division of Aeronautics.

No one was hurt in the landing, Boise Police say. The plane appears to have some minor damage, but is intact. A passerby told KTVB the aircraft did not have any lights.

The plane is registered to Bonnie and Andrew Patrick of Boise. It was towed off of I-84 shortly before 9 a.m.

In transmissions between the craft and an air traffic controller, the pilot says he is about to land on the interstate.

“Mayday, mayday, the rest was unreadable,” the air traffic controller says.

“Mayday, mayday, seven-three-Mike is going in on the freeway, engine failure,” the pilot responds.

A short time later, the air traffic controller instructs someone to search for the downed plane.

“15-59 heavy, a plane just landed on the freeway in front of you about a mile and a half. Do you see anything?” he asks.

“We’re looking,” another person responds.

“Seven-three-mike, I’m on the freeway,” the pilot says. “I’m OK.”

“OK, seven-three-mike, I’m glad to hear that, thank you,” the air traffic controller responds. “Emergency vehicles on the way.”