A pilot was forced to perform an emergency landing on a highway in Wyoming to fix a “fuel issue”, and took off from the road again when the problem was resolved.
The single-engine aircraft is believed to have departed from Western Nebraska-Scottsbluff Regional Airport (BFF) and was en route to Oregon on September 21, 2024 when the pilot encountered an issue with the plane’s fuel.
The pilot had no choice but to land the aircraft on Interstate 25 (I-25) in the state of Wyoming.
The moment was captured on video by a couple who happened to be driving along I-25, on the way to Cheyenne, and saw the plane land in front of them.
The couple, Levi and Kelsi Dutton, told local news outlet Cowboy State Daily that when they saw the plane land and pull over, they decided to stop to see if the pilot needed assistance.
The Duttons said that the pilot, who was also an aircraft mechanic, told them that he thought there was something blocking the fuel line of the aircraft.
The couple said that the pilot told them, “I got the tools right here. I’ll just open it up, figure out what’s going on and get her fixed,” while he was tinkering with the aircraft.
The pilot then asked the Duttons to assist him in clearing the highway so he could takeoff once the issue was fixed. The couple did as instructed, and it was at that point that the Wyoming Highway Patrol showed up.
The pilot was then able to takeoff safely from I-25 and flew to Cheyenne Regional Airport (CYS) where he intended to perform a proper inspection of the aircraft.
The Highway Patrol posted photographs of the aircraft properly parked on the side of the interstate and, in good humor, added: “We wish the pilot the best in getting to his destination safely. It is also a good reminder to not drive distracted, you never know what might land in front of you.”
