x
Breaking News
More () »

Small plane makes an emergency landing on busy road in San Marcos

No major injuries or fatalities were reported, according to the San Diego Sheriff's Department.

CARLSBAD, Calif. — A small plane made an emergency landing on a busy intersection in San Marcos on Saturday.

According to the San Diego Sheriff's Department, at approximately 6:15 p.m., reports came in that a small plane landed on the street near South Rancho Santa Fe Road and Melrose Drive.

The plane struck a street sign and a vehicle during the landing.

No major injuries or fatalities were reported, according to the San Diego Sheriff's Department. Passengers on the plane and car were reported to be uninjured.

"He did an amazing job frankly on being able to land here on Rancho Sante Fe and avoid all of the  homes and structures around. Avoided all but one vehicle that had minor damage," said David Pender, the Battalion Chief for the San Marcos Fire Department.

Pender said the pilot told the fire department he had engine failure. He was forced to make an emergency landing and lost a wing in the process.

"It appears to me there was either neglected maintenance on the engine or the airplane was out of fuel because at least one wing was ripped off and there was no fire. Fuel is stored in the wings," said Robert Katz, a commercial pilot and flight instructor.

Katz has more than 40 years of flying experience. He listened to the conversation between the pilot and air traffic control. He said the pilot was not instrument qualified which means he wasn't trained to fly on top of a solid overcast. 

"I would say that he had like zero control over where he was going to come down because he couldn't see where to point the airplane," Katz said.

Video captured by Robert Wade via dashboard camera showed the moment when the plane flew into the intersection. The plane landed while striking a street sign with one of its wings.

WATCH: Dash camera shows the moment a plane makes emergency landing in San Marcos 

The intersection of South Rancho Santa Fe Road and Melrose Drive was temporarily closed according to the sheriff's department. The sheriff's department reported at 10:47 p.m. the street was reopened.

The FAA has been notified of the incident.

WATCH RELATED: Small plane crash lands on road in San Marcos 

Before You Leave, Check This Out