Witness Says I-85 Plane Landing 'Scared Me To Death'

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga.,None — A pilot made an emergency landing on Interstate 85 in DeKalb County on Monday afternoon, causing major traffic chaos during Atlanta's rush hour.

PHOTOS: Plane Makes Emergency Landing On Interstate 85

News Chopper 2 showed several firetrucks blocking lanes of I-85 southbound near Shallowford Road shortly after 5 p.m.

Pilot Matt Conway told Channel 2 Action News that the plane's engine failed, forcing him down onto the freeway. He was not injured. Conway said his training and experience allowed him to land the plane safely and without causing accidents. Conway said he was heading for nearby DeKalb Peachtree Airport.

Jerry Little told Channel 2 Action News anchor Jovita Moore that he witnessed the plane landing on the interstate.

"I saw him right in front of me," said Little. "I heard him hit the ground. I mean, it was that close," Little said.

"I started shaking ... my heart is still beating. It scared me to death."

Kathleen Bergen, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman, said crews would quickly assess what forced the plane down, then clear the highway.

The tail number of the plane indicated that the plane was a single engine Piper Saratoga registered to an aircraft rental company out of Gainesville, Ga.

The plane's owner told Channel 2 Action News reporter Eric Philips that it appears the aircraft is a total loss. The plane was taken to Peachtree-DeKalb Airport on Monday night, where the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board continued their investigation.

It took more than an hour to move the aircraft through the streets.

WSBTV