An airplane making its way to the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport missed its destination by approximately two miles and made an emergency landing on southbound Highway 101 the morning of Aug. 24.
According to a press release from the California Highway Patrol, pilot Kris Sean Michael of Temecula lost control of his plane after attempting to switch gas tanks. Michael notified the local air tower of his problem, and was ultimately forced to land the 1965 Piper Comanche 260 on a stretch of highway between Patterson Avenue and Turnpike Road.
The press release said Michael originally intended to land in the same direction as moving traffic, on the northbound side of the freeway, but was unable to maintain control of the aircraft.
The stalled plane touched down on the freeway and collided with three southbound vehicles. According to the release, the collision occurred just seconds after the California Highway Patrol received the emergency call, leaving no time for officers to attempt to clear the freeway.
Several CHP units responded to the crash, limiting traffic to one lane until the investigation and clean-up could be completed. The freeway was restored to normal by noon, the press release said.
Emergency responders transported a passenger in one of the damaged vehicles to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital as a precaution. The man was later released uninjured. CHP officials reported that no other injuries were sustained.
This article appears in Aug 27 – Sep 3, 2009.
