Authorities investigate what caused small plane to land on busy highway in Atlanta area

Plane makes smooth landing on Atlanta area highway

ATLANTA — Authorities say they’re trying to determine what caused the engine problems that prompted a small plane to make an emergency landing on a busy stretch of Interstate 85 northeast of Atlanta.

The plane landed smoothly and without hitting any cars on a southbound stretch of the interstate Monday afternoon a few miles from Peachtree DeKalb Airport.

Television shots showed traffic snarled for miles as the Piper Saratoga blocked at least four lanes around 5 p.m. as the city’s evening rush hour was beginning. It was hauled away a few hours later.

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

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