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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhpg6QEMKtc

Article:

https://eur01.safelinks.protec...Jf2z5M%3D&reserved=0

WATCH THE BREATHTAKING MOMENT A PLANE LANDED SEAMLESSLY ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AND TRY NOT TO HYPERVENTILATE

BY JORGE SOLIS ON 4/17/20 AT 10:38 AM EDT

Breathtaking video of a Piper PA-28 Cherokee aircraft's miraculous landing on Highway 40 near Canada's Quebec City has gone viral. Though the plane malfunctioned due to reported engine trouble, luckily no one was hurt in yesterday morning's incident.

At 10:30 am on April 16, the pilot made an emergency call to the Quebec City fire department. Due to mechanical issues, the pilot requested permission to land the Piper Cherokee plane on the highway, just south of Jean-Lesage International Airport, per CBC. Mathieu Sharing, an eyewitness to the viral event, apparently captured the entire incident from his camera and shared the video on his Facebook page.

Posted on r/TopTalent, reddit users shared the viral video and mentioned how the motorists appeared to be seemingly unfazed by the emergency landing. Notice how traffic continued moving at its regular speed as a bunch of vehicles followed behind the plane. If that were me, I probably would have swerved if I saw a plane suddenly driving across the street, but maybe I'm high strung?

Reddit user, crystalskull89, said what we are all thinking, "Damn! That's a pro there!"

@TomPodolec shared Leclerc's video and tweeted, "A Piper PA-28 Cherokee landed safely this morning on Highwy 40 just south of Québec City International Airport. A suspected mechanical issue caused the pilot to perform this forced landing. No injuries reported."

After the plane steered away from traffic and hit the brakes, the police arrived at the highway at around 10:40 am. Though the pilot's name has remained anonymous, Sgt. Helene Nepton mentioned that the abrupt landing didn't cause any accident. No one driving at the highway was injured.

Nepton told CTV News, "We received calls mentioning that an airplane was landing on westbound Highway 40."

"Fortunately, the aircraft landed without a collision, and then no one was injured. In fact, traffic was able to resume quickly in the area," added Nepton.

Traffic was delayed for a bit while emergency crews moved the plane away from the highway.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sigmund,

It looks like both the pilot and drivers on the rode handled that well.

Watching the video, I’m a little confused. Was all ready to point out the the typical mechanical problem causing that issue is the failure of the engine to run when connected to an empty tank. However, from my quick viewing, the prop appears to still be turning long after I’d have expected it to stop if it were out of gas.

How about the moron who followed the aircraft right on its ass?
Note to self:
When an airplane is attempting to land on the highway in front of me, it may be a good thing to increase my distance from it!

"Cherokee 36W, cleared to land on I-40 westbound, use any lane. You're number, er...34, hold for the Prius, then follow the Honda. Caution, wake turbulence from the Freightliner."

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:
Watching the video, I’m a little confused. Was all ready to point out the the typical mechanical problem causing that issue is the failure of the engine to run when connected to an empty tank. However, from my quick viewing, the prop appears to still be turning long after I’d have expected it to stop if it were out of gas.

The prop could just be windmilling or it could be a non-typical issue, like a mechanical issue other than attempting to run the engine while empty.

Regardless, pilot did a good job landing that on the road.

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:
Watching the video, I’m a little confused. Was all ready to point out the the typical mechanical problem causing that issue is the failure of the engine to run when connected to an empty tank. However, from my quick viewing, the prop appears to still be turning long after I’d have expected it to stop if it were out of gas.

The prop could just be windmilling or it could be a non-typical issue, like a mechanical issue other than attempting to run the engine while empty.

Regardless, pilot did a good job landing that on the road.

Yes, however I’ve shutdown piston engines and while they will keep windmilling with airspeed, they would have quit long before the car passed on rollout. I’d go so far as to bet it had to be something else.

If a carbureted Cherokee, it could have been a piece of garbage in the float valve that would allow enough fuel into the bowl to run at idle, but would cause the engine to starve and quit at full throttle. If you don’t think that will get your attention, try it at night over terrain in a ‘48 Cessna 140.

It could also have been a linkage failure, or something else that resulted in less than normal power.

It doesn’t look like a fuel mismanagement incident though. You’re right, he did a great job landing on that road. If no driver screwed up and hit the airplane, it should be able to be used again without any major maintenance.

I'm curious as to who one seeks permission from to land on a highway, and why someone would seek permission to handle an emergency.

I suspect the article isn't entirely accurate. Regardless it appears to have turned out well.

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:

If a carbureted Cherokee, it could have been a piece of garbage in the float valve that would allow enough fuel into the bowl to run at idle, but would cause the engine to starve and quit at full throttle.

Or just carb ice.

In airplanes without a "both" position on the fuel selector, it's a matter of moving back and forth to keep the tanks balanced; its not unheard of for the selector to fail, or for crud to be lodged behind the valve. Or a timing failure or mag failure. With the single drive dual mag setup, one failure point disables both mags.

Whatever the reason, the article notes that the aircraft was next to the airfield. The pilot didn't feel he could make the airfield, apparently, and went for the road.

It's hard to say not having been there or knowing that area, if other choices may have been better. Landin between cars would certainly not be the first choice if a field or other open area were available.

Good fishin in K bec

Prime example of sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.

A road like that is far from a first choice of emergency landing choices, but it might have been the only choice.

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:

I'm curious as to who one seeks permission from to land on a highway

My guess? Probably within the controlled airport's space, generally five mile radius on the surface.

"Requesting permission" though, is probably reporter-speak. Declaring emergency is more likely.

All those light poles alongside, and the overhead signs spanning the highway, would make my sphincter pucker up really tight.

That close to an airport, it must have been a bad situation, for the pilot to elect the highway. I'd like to know "the rest of the story."

I think I saw a couple of puffs of smoke from the engine as the pilot was on final, particularly when he puckered over the last set of road signs. I think the engine was running, but wasn't happy.

His next poop ought to be worth a fortune, because I'm pretty sure his sphincter made a diamond.

I can see this in the Chicago area.....

Pilot: “Tail Nora two-six-eight-three to ORD Tower, over”

O’Hare Tower: “ORD Tower Nora two-six-eight-three.”

Pilot: “Hydraulic failure one point five south of you, request landing runway two-niner-four.”

O’Hare Tower: “ORD Tower Nora two-eight-six-three, we have no runway two-niner-four.”

Pilot: “You will in a minute.”

Interstate 294 runs north-south through O’Hare.

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:
I'm curious as to who one seeks permission from to land on a highway, and why someone would seek permission to handle an emergency.

I suspect the article isn't entirely accurate. Regardless it appears to have turned out well.

Exactly. Having practiced this recently in the C172 (on takeoff climb), I know that I'm calling the emergency and then landing the plane. No time to argue details.

quote:

Originally posted by VictimNoMore:

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:
I'm curious as to who one seeks permission from to land on a highway, and why someone would seek permission to handle an emergency.

I suspect the article isn't entirely accurate. Regardless it appears to have turned out well.

Exactly. Having practiced this recently in the C172 (on takeoff climb), I know that I'm calling the emergency and then landing the plane. No time to argue details.

Yup. Emergency, Here's my plan of attack, alert rescue, don't bother me with questions, I'm busy. If I don't call you back once I am on the ground, tell rescue to hurry.

That was a great landing!


I’d have hit a sign, some wires, a few cars and for sure hit a light pole or three...

I'd have loved to be the first police car on the scene, would have gotten some great photos.
"Do you know why I pulled you over?"

quote:

Originally posted by cas:
I'd have loved to be the first police car on the scene, would have gotten some great photos.
"Do you know why I pulled you over?"

For the Win!

Why didn't they use the nearly deserted service ramp to the right?

quote:

I'd have loved to be the first police car on the scene, would have gotten some great photos.

No one bothered to stop and at least help push the aircraft off to the side???


Years back I responded to the crash of a Jetranger. Tail rotor failure. Did an amazing job of autorotating into the only tiny clear area near the NJ Turnpike. Took photos with the pilot . Hung out with the NTSB rep from Newark who let me tag along on the initial review. Pretty cut and dried at that stage.