Small plane lands on busy stretch of I-85 in north Atlanta as rush hour begins; no injuries

Plane lands on busy highway northeast of Atlanta

ATLANTA — Authorities say a small plane made a smooth emergency landing without hitting any cars on a busy stretch of Interstate 85 in northeast Atlanta just as the city’s evening rush hour began.

Television shots showed traffic snarled for miles as the Piper Saratoga blocked at least four lanes of traffic about 5 p.m. Monday. It was hauled away a couple hours later.

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said no injuries were reported.

The plane landed on a southbound stretch of the interstate a few miles from Peachtree DeKalb Airport, where it was headed.

The pilot, identified as Matt Conway by WSB-TV, told the station that mechanical problems forced him to land.