MOORPARK, Calif. – In an astonishing display of composure and skill, a student pilot successfully executed an emergency landing on a busy highway in Ventura County, California. Danielle Lagree, 27, was flying with her instructor when their small plane began experiencing engine trouble, forcing them to make a rapid decision to ensure their safety and avoid potential disaster. The incident, first reported by CBS Los Angeles, unfolded on southbound lanes of Highway 23, near Moorpark, leaving onlookers stunned and praising the pilot’s quick thinking.
Lagree, a student honing her aviation skills, recounted the tense moments leading to the highway landing. They had departed from Van Nuys Airport, and she was practicing flight maneuvers when the aircraft’s engine started sputtering. Initially unsure of the cause, Lagree questioned her instructor, who quickly confirmed their predicament: engine failure. Facing the daunting prospect of losing altitude rapidly over mountainous terrain, they knew reaching their intended destination of Camarillo Airport was no longer feasible.
Alt text: Small single-engine plane safely landed on Highway 23 in Moorpark, California, with cars stopped behind it.
“We were descending, and our options were limited to a dirt patch or the highway,” Lagree explained, highlighting the split-second decisions they had to make. Navigating swiftly, they managed to avoid power lines, a significant hazard during emergency landings, narrowly clearing them as they sought a safe landing strip. The southbound lanes of Highway 23 at the Tierra Rejada exit presented the most viable option.
Eyewitness accounts, including a video clip shared on Twitter, captured the surreal scene of a small plane descending onto the freeway. “Oh my gosh, I’m freaking out! A plane just landed on the freeway,” exclaimed the woman filming, reflecting the عمومی shock and disbelief of those witnessing the event. Lagree described the heart-stopping moments of touchdown: “Thank goodness all the cars stopped, except for one driver who went right underneath us. We landed, and I was incredibly shaken.” Despite the adrenaline-fueled experience, Lagree expressed her determination to continue her flight training, stating, “I took a few deep breaths, and I’ll still go fly tomorrow.”
Alt text: Mechanics dismantling the wing of a small aircraft on Highway 23 after an emergency landing to transport it back to Van Nuys Airport.
Following the successful landing on Monday night, mechanics from Encore Flight School, the flight school associated with the aircraft, began the process of dismantling the plane’s wings. This was necessary for safely transporting the aircraft back to Van Nuys Airport via tow truck. Authorities confirmed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was scheduled to investigate the incident on Tuesday to determine the exact cause of the engine malfunction. Crucially, no injuries were reported as a result of the emergency landing, a testament to Lagree’s piloting skills and the fortunate circumstances of the event. This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of pilot training and the unpredictable nature of flight, even in routine practice sessions.
