Small Airplane Lands On Interstate, Gets Into Multi-Car Crash

We’ve long said that drivers need to be ready for anything, including a small airplane landing on the interstate in a rural area. That exact situation unfolded near Payson, Utah on Interstate 15, resulting in a five-car pileup.

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This just happened on December 2, so we’re sure not all the information about the accident is known. But during a press conference, a member of Utah Highway Patrol provided some details about what led up to the crash and the aftermath.

The airplane apparently suffered some sort of engine failure, so the pilot had to put it down. There aren’t a lot of options in that part of the Beehive State, so we can understand why I-15 was attractive for a safe landing.

However, there isn’t lighting on that stretch of the interstate and the airplane’s lights apparently weren’t on. That meant after touching down on the road, the aircraft was a surprise for drivers. At least one hit the plane and a pileup ensued. Some serious injuries resulted in the chain-reaction crash.

We’re not saying the drivers should’ve seen the airplane or had enough time to react. We don’t know if anyone was driving distracted, drowsy, or intoxicated. Obviously, investigators are going to be looking at all the possibilities, plus dig into why the plane had trouble.

What we are saying is this is a perfect example of how on public roads you have to be ready for anything. This means not fiddling with your phone or the vehicle touchscreen. See everything, including down the road and behind you, but don’t look at anything. And be ready to brake or accelerate in a split second.

That’s a lot, especially for the hordes of people who “hate driving.” Perhaps this is why robot cars have their attraction to a growing number of vehicle owners. In the meantime, if you’re behind the wheel you need to be ready for the unexpected since you never know what might happen.

Image via KSL News/YouTube