Small Plane Crashes Onto Busy California Highway

A small airplane carrying two adults and a child crashed onto a busy California roadway Saturday afternoon, leaving the aircraft badly damaged and sending all three occupants to the hospital.

The frightening incident unfolded shortly after 3 p.m. on October 17 near Capitol Expressway and Excalibur Drive in San Jose, where a single-engine propeller plane came down in the middle of the road.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene and found the aircraft with extensive damage to its front end. Photos released by the San Jose Fire Department showed the orange-and-white plane resting at an unusual angle, its crushed nose pressed against the pavement.

Despite the dramatic wreckage, all three people aboard survived.

Fire officials said the two adults and one child were transported to a nearby hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. The department described the hospital visits as a precaution.

Remarkably, no vehicles on the roadway were struck, and no injuries were reported among motorists or pedestrians.

The crash also caused a small fuel spill, which firefighters quickly contained and absorbed before it could create an additional hazard.

Authorities temporarily restricted access to the surrounding area while emergency responders secured the aircraft and cleared the roadway.

Federal Aviation Administration records identified the plane as a 1968 Cessna 177A Cardinal registered to Flying Twenty Inc., a nonprofit flying club associated with San Jose State University students, alumni, and faculty.

According to flight-tracking information reported by Bay City News, the aircraft had departed a Santa Clara County airport at approximately 3:06 p.m., just minutes before the crash.

Investigators have not determined why the aircraft went down or whether it experienced a mechanical problem. The identities of those aboard have not been publicly released.

The incident came less than 24 hours after another small airplane experienced trouble at nearby Reid-Hillview Airport.

In that separate Friday night incident, a plane crash-landed after experiencing landing gear problems. Both occupants escaped without injuries, and firefighters reported no fuel spill.

Authorities have not indicated that the two incidents are connected.

Saturday’s crash is now under investigation, with aviation authorities expected to examine the aircraft, available flight information, and other evidence to determine what caused it to come down.

For the three people aboard, the outcome was fortunate considering the extensive damage to the plane and its landing location on a busy city road.