Pilot Makes Emergency Landing in Newark

NEWARK, Calif. (KCBS) -- The pilot of a single-engine Cessna plane made an emergency landing on a residential street in Newark yesterday afternoon after flying into severe air turbulence.

Police and fire crews found the plane on Willow Street, a light industrial area on the west end of town, according to Sgt. John Kovatch of the Newark Police Department.

"He used it as his landing zone. It's very incredible considering there's quite a few high-tension power lines that run in the area, so he did some pretty spectacular flying to get that plane safely down there," said Kovatch. “On one end of Willow Street there are some residential homes, and towards the other end it's all light industrial.”

Newark police were notified of the downed plane by FAA officials at the Palo Alto Municipal Airport, who originally though the Cessna might have landed in a wetlands area. No one was hurt during the incident.

"The pilot stated that during a routine flight he flew into an area of severe air turbulence that violently rocked his plane, causing the engine to loose power and his communications radio to fail," Kovatch said.

The plane is intact, with no pieces missing. The FAA is investigating the landing.

(RdD)