Motorists on I-985 NB just north of the I-85 split had to deal with a small plane using the interstate as their emergency landing strip during rush hour traffic on Tuesday, Jan. 24.
Two people were onboard the single-engine Piper PA-28 plane when they were forced to make an emergency landing along the northbound lanes of I-985 just north of the I-85 split near Woodward Mill Road. Both occupants of the plane were able to exit the aircraft before the fire department arrived.
At 4:13 p.m., Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services responded to a call that a small plane had landed on I-985 and collided with a semi truck. Crews arrived on the scene at 4:25 p.m. and were able to confirm that a small fixed-wing plane had collided with a semi truck travelling northbound on I-985 as they landed on the interstate.
Firefighters quickly secured the scene and deployed a fire hose for protection. The Gwinnett County Haz-Mat Team offloaded 10 gallons of fuel from the aircraft before it was towed up the Buford Drive exit ramp by Willard Wrecker Service. No fuel leaks were detected prior to offloading the fuel.
Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services were assisted by the Gwinnett County Air Traffic Control Tower in contacting the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB).
The plane departed from the Gwinnett County Airport in Lawrenceville at 3:23 p.m. and according to the FAA the plane remained airborne for 48 minutes. The plane took a northward path, circled near Lake Lanier and then proceeded south to the interstate.
The reason for the plane’s emergency landing is under investigation by the National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB). No injuries were reported.
FEATURED PHOTO: A small single-engine Piper PA-28 plane made an emergency landing on I-985 on Tuesday afternoon shutting down northbound lanes. Photo courtesy of Gwinnett County Police Department.
