Small plane makes emergency landing on I-78 in Pennsylvania after departing Hunterdon County airport
WEISENBERG TOWNSHIP, Pa. (Lehigh County) — A small plane that departed from Solberg Airport in Readington Township, Hunterdon County, made an emergency landing Saturday morning on Interstate 78 in Pennsylvania, authorities said.
According to Pennsylvania State Police, the incident occurred at approximately 9:19 a.m. April 4 in Weisenberg Township, Lehigh County.
Troopers said the aircraft, a 1995 Commander 114B, was operated by a 65-year-old man from Michigan and was en route to Indiana when the pilot reported unknown engine problems. The pilot attempted to reach a local airport but instead landed the plane on I-78 eastbound near mile marker 45.6.
A 34-year-old woman from New Jersey was also on board as a passenger. No injuries were reported.
As a result of the incident, eastbound traffic on I-78 was detoured to Exit 40 in Greenwich Township, Berks County, while westbound lanes remained open. All eastbound lanes reopened at approximately 1 p.m.
The plane was later towed from the highway to a local airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident. Assisting at the scene were Pennsylvania State Police, the Weisenberg Township Fire Department, Cetronia Ambulance, PennDOT, ABE Operations and Safety, and Fast Lane Towing.
