Airplane makes emergency landing on B.C.'s Coquihalla Highway

[burhead1]

MERRITT, B.C. – Motorists driving on B.C.’s Coquihalla Highway were treated to a bizarre sight this afternoon when a small airplane landed on the highway median.

Debra Sharkey was driving from Vancouver to Kamloops when she witnessed the Mustang II flying low above the highway approximately 10 km south of Merritt.

She says she watched the plane fly lower and lower, before taking a long, gradual decline.

The pilot then landed on a grassy median between the divided highway lanes.

http://toronto.citynews.ca/2018/04/22/a ... r-merritt/

[Sighter]

I'd like to hear from the pilot but it looks like a nice off airport stop. Too bad the successfully handled emergencies don't get as much coverage of idiots taking selfies instead of putting masks on properly.

[AirFrame]

There are many worse places on the Coquihalla to have to set down. Nice work and good fortune that it happened where it did.

Two cameras mounted visible... I wonder if the pilot thought to turn them on to record the arrival?

[lhalliday]

When I was taxiing in at Chilliwack earlier he was just leaving. I invited him to go ahead of me, because his plane was cooler than mine.

...laura

[Posthumane]

A local paper was reporting that the pilot elected to land due to smoke in the cockpit. The Mustang II has wings that are very easily removable so they just put it on a trailer and towed it home.

[rookiepilot]

A local paper was reporting that the pilot elected to land due to smoke in the cockpit. The Mustang II has wings that are very easily removable so they just put it on a trailer and towed it home.

Good call.

[rookiepilot]

A local paper was reporting that the pilot elected to land due to smoke in the cockpit. The Mustang II has wings that are very easily removable so they just put it on a trailer and towed it home.

Good call.

[pelmet]

And another one in Quebec the other day...

https://www.mtlblog.com/news/airplane-m ... ec-highway

Apparently the engine was run normally by a mechanic after the incident....Hmmmmm.

[pelmet]

And another one in early April....

C-GEEX, a privately operated Cessna A185E aircraft, was conducting a VFR flight itinerary when the pilot encountered deteriorating weather conditions and had to perform a forced landing on Highway 37, south of Bowser Lake, BC. After the touchdown on the wet pavement, the aircraft swerved and a loss of directional control ensued. The aircraft drifted to the right toward a ditch, and the right wing struck a snow bank causing the airplane to flip onto its roof. The pilot exited the aircraft and plugged the wing vent in order to prevent a fuel leak. With the assistance of motorists, the aircraft was redressed onto its wheels and was moved away to clear the highway. An ELT signal has been triggered.

[7ECA]

For the original incident, the CADORS:

TSB Report # A18P0053: a privately registered Bushby Mustang II aircraft, was conducting a flight from Abbotsford, BC (CYXX) to Merritt, BC (CAD5). During the flight at 7500 feet, the pilot received a carbon monoxide warning and noticed exhaust fumes in the cockpit. After declaring a Mayday, the pilot decided to make an emergency landing on Highway 5, approximately 12 nm South of CAD5. The pilot landed the aircraft on the Highway and taxied the aircraft to the center median without further incident. The wings were removed and the aircraft was transported to CYXX on a trailer. Subsequent maintenance inspection revealed a crack on the exhaust pipe.

[Posthumane]

Thanks for the update.

[pelmet]

This one was also in April...that makes five different aircraft landing on roads in Canada in April.

"C-FNVS, a privately operated Piper PA-28-160 aircraft, was on a VFR flight plan from Wetaskiwin Regional, AB (CEX3) to Bonnyville, AB (CYBF). While in cruise flight in the vicinity of Hay Lakes, AB (12 nm NW of Camrose, CEQ3), the engine (Avco Lycoming O-320-B2B) lost a significant amount of power. The pilot attempted to regain power by selecting a different fuel tank, selecting different magnetos, applying carb heat and adjusting the mixture, however none of these efforts were effective. The pilot performed a precautionary landing with partial power on secondary Highway 617, just East of Hay Lakes, AB. There was no damage to the aircraft or injuries to the pilot who was the lone occupant. A maintenance examination determined that the number 3 cylinder exhaust valve had failed."