A young pilot who some sources say is a student ducked power lines, dodged cars, buildings and pedestrians and put her Cessna 172 down without a scratch on a busy Huntington Beach, California, street on Friday. Dash cam and surveillance video showed the unidentified woman maneuvering the aircraft in gusty conditions to avoid obstacles (the high wing may have helped) before setting it down firmly and bringing it to a stop just before a set of traffic lights on a major road. She apparently reported engine trouble with the aircraft before heading for the off-airport landing just before 5 p.m. during the height of the Friday afternoon rush hour. Video shot immediately after the landing showed the engine running as police approached the stationary aircraft.
The flight originated at John Wayne Airport and the pilot apparently reported the engine was running roughly. The undamaged plane was pushed to a cul-de-sac where investigators were to have a look at it. It’s not clear how it was to be taken back to the airport. The aircraft is a 2014 S model and is registered to JC Capital Holdings LLC in Los Angeles.
