Small aircraft lands on busy Pennsylvania highway, no injuries reported
BERKS COUNTY, Pa. – A small single-engine plane made an emergency landing Saturday morning on a heavily traveled stretch of Interstate 78, briefly shutting down traffic and drawing a large emergency response near New Smithville. Authorities said the aircraft touched down on the eastbound lanes near Exit 45, creating disruptions for drivers during the morning hours.
Officials confirmed that two people were onboard the plane at the time of the incident and neither was injured. The circumstances leading up to the emergency landing were not immediately released.
Emergency landing disrupts highway traffic
First responders quickly arrived at the scene and closed the eastbound lanes of I-78 to assess the situation and secure the aircraft. The shutdown caused significant traffic delays as crews worked to ensure the roadway was safe.
Key Points
- Small plane landed on eastbound I-78 near Exit 45 in Berks County
- Two people onboard were not injured during the incident
- Temporary highway closure caused heavy traffic delays Saturday morning
Authorities later confirmed the plane was successfully removed from the highway, allowing traffic to resume. No damage to other vehicles or infrastructure was immediately reported.
Flight data and aircraft details emerge
Flight tracking data shows the aircraft, identified by tail number N114KJ, is a Rockwell Commander 114, a single-engine piston aircraft. Ownership information was not immediately available.
According to updated flight data, the plane departed at 8:48 a.m. EDT, later than its scheduled 8:00 a.m. takeoff, and was expected to land at 9:59 a.m. but instead recorded a landing time of 10:53 a.m. EDT following the emergency incident.
The aircraft was traveling at a filed speed of 176 mph and a filed altitude of approximately 1,830 meters. Flight records indicate it covered an actual distance of 293 miles, with a direct route distance of 274 miles, following a route that included SBJ, T430, ETX, T299, HAR, V12, and AGC waypoints.
Investigation underway into cause of landing
Officials have not yet determined what caused the pilot to make the emergency landing on the interstate. Further details are expected as authorities continue to investigate.
The incident remains under review as officials work to determine whether mechanical issues or other factors led to the unexpected landing.
