A small PZL-104 plane made an emergency landing on North Main Street in Ukiah, California, on Friday morning, with its two occupants escaping unharmed. The incident occurred around 10:45 a.m. near the intersection of North Main and East Smith streets.
According to Ukiah Valley Fire Authority Battalion Chief Ryan Nelson, the pilot managed to avoid hitting any buildings, cars, utility poles, people, or animals. "It was amazingly lucky," Nelson told the Ukiah Daily Journal. The pilot, described as highly skilled, was uninjured. A co-pilot, also an adult male, sustained minor injuries but did not require medical treatment. Both occupants are believed to be from outside the Mendocino County area.
The aircraft was reportedly experiencing fuel and engine problems en route to Ukiah Municipal Airport. While the plane did clip some power lines, no power outages were reported. The plane landed on the 300 block of North Main Street, an area characterized as a small, quiet town. Minor damages were reported from the crash landing.
The Ukiah Police Department and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident. Staff from the Ukiah Airport also responded to the scene. Following the NTSB's response, the plane's wings are expected to be removed before it is towed from the street.