Engine problem prompts emergency landing

Newson6.com

An engine problem forced a pilot to make an emergency landing Wednesday morning on U.S. Highway 75 north of Tulsa.

Allen Braden, who said he has been flying for 46 years, was flying his single-engine Cessna from Emporia, Kansas home to Houston, Texas when he experienced engine problems at 5,000 feet, he said. Braden had hoped to land at Tulsa International Airport, but quickly realized he wasn't going to make it. 

Braden said he looked for a stretch of road suitable for landing when he saw an opening in traffic on Highway 75.

"Once I had the highway in sight, I knew I was putting it down on the highway.  My biggest fear there is that there wouldn't be enough room between cars.  They told me about the power lines crossing the highway so I got low, which probably put me above a couple of cars," said Braden.

Braden told authorities he clipped a road sign, but was still able to make a controlled landing.  No cars were hit and no one was injured.

A section of Highway 75 near 56 Street North was closed during the incident.  Crews later removed the four-seat plane and reopened the highway.