March 1, 2024 - Fresno County Sheriff's Office officials report that at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, a Piper Cherokee airplane lost power while flying 900 feet above ground.  The plane had recently left Chandler Airport in Southwest Fresno.

On board was a flight instructor and student pilot.  The engine failed during training orbits, so the flight instructor took control of the plane.  He radioed the tower to report the problem, who in turn contacted the Sheriff's Office and North Central Fire Protection District.

The instructor was flying south, toward the intersection of Bishop and McKinley in Fresno.  He saw an opening where no cars were passing by and was able to clear the intersection, landing the plane on Bishop Ave.  Once the plane slowed down, he steered it off the road and near an almond orchard.

First responders arrived and found there were no injuries to either of the two people and no damage to the airplane.

The FAA and NTSB were both contacted to make a report.  The flight school is now working to transport its plane back to Chandler Airport.

View video here.


Source & photo: Fresno County Sheriff's Office