A private aircraft made an emergency landing on a northeast roadway on Wednesday morning after the dual prop plane experienced engine trouble.
The plane touched down in the northbound lanes of the road, between 12 Avenue and 16 Avenue NE, just before 6:00 a.m. No injuries have been reported.
"Remarkably, there was no injuries of anyone aboard the aircraft," said EMS Public Education Officer Stuart Brideaux. "But also, no injuries to anyone on the ground or involving any other vehicular traffic on 36 Street. It is quite extaordinary."
Brideaux confirms there were two pilots and four passengers onboard the aircraft.
Police officials say the aircraft ran out of fuel.
Northbound 36 Street was closed until just before 3:00 p.m. while the Transportation Safety Board of Canada investigated the matter. The plane was towed onto the grassy shoulder with a pick-up truck and crews began removing barriers and reopening the road. CTrain service was not disrupted.
“We will be collecting data, we’ll conduct witness interviews, we’ll examine and photograph the wreckage, we’ll also examine the maintenance history, meteorological conditions, operation of the equipment, operation policies and regulation requirements," said Mike Adam, TSB Investigator.
According to witnesses, the plane flew beneath the traffic signals at the intersection of 36 Street and 12 Avenue NE and the wing of the aircraft damaged several road signs.
Terri Super, the owner/operator of Medicine Hat-based Super T Aviation, confirms the Piper Navajo is part of her fleet. The aircraft departed Medicine Hat at 4:47 a.m. and the pilot has several years of experience. "She is a very capable pilot."
In a statement, Super commended the pilot for ensuring a safe landing and is grateful that no one was injured in the incident. Super says the unscheduled landing was the result of 'a loss of power of an unknown cause'.
Calgary Airport Authority officials confirm the unscheduled landing has not impacted operations at the airport.
The location of the emergency landing is approximately five kilometres from the southern end of the Calgary International Airport.
