A small plane made an unexpected landing on the snowy New York State Thruway in Albany, creating a surprising scene for travelers on Friday afternoon. The twin-engine Beechcraft BE95, identified as N661Q, had to touch down on the northbound side of I-87, between exits 22 and 23, around 12:40 p.m. after the pilot reported engine trouble.
The aircraft had taken off earlier that morning from Fairfield County Airport in South Carolina at 8:35 a.m. and was on its way to Albany International Airport, where it was scheduled to arrive at 12:48 p.m. However, the flight didn’t go as planned, and the pilot had to act quickly to ensure everyone’s safety.
Thankfully, all three people aboard the plane walked away unharmed. Emergency responders were swift to arrive at the scene, and officials confirmed that no injuries had been reported.
The landing did cause some disruption for drivers, as the right lane of the thruway had to be closed temporarily. Travelers and passersby were undoubtedly startled to see a plane resting on the road amid the snowy landscape.
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation to determine what caused the engine issue. While the unexpected landing might have been nerve-wracking, the quick-thinking pilot and the lack of injuries made for a fortunate outcome to what could have been a much more dangerous situation.
