Small plane lands on Lake Shore Dr. in Chicago, pilot unhurt
CHICAGO (WITI) -- A small plane landed on Lake Shore Dr. in Chicago early Sunday, September 22nd. The pilot is not hurt.
Chicago fire officials say the plane apparently suffered a mechanical issue with its tail control. The pilot set the plane down in between cars on Lake Shore Dr. near Grant Park.
The pilot was reportedly flying over Lake Michigan to watch the sunrise, when his plane started to vibrate. The pilot realized he could not make it to the airport, which left him two choices -- Lake Michigan or Lake Shore Drive.
"The whole aircraft was shaking. And it didn't go away and it was getting worse. So I called O'Hare tower and I did a mayday and I was looking for a place to land. And then I told them I was putting it down on Lake Shore Drive. I kind of had to go level with the light posts and when I got between two I dove it down. And I made a perfect landing. There was no traffic," pilot John Pedersen said.
Pedersen says after he landed, two cars hit his plane. They drove off, and no one was injured.
Investigators say the plane is a Rand S6 and has a very small engine.
Fire officials pushed the plane onto the grass to complete their investigation.
Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.