Engine Problem Caused Plane's Emergency Landing On I-355: Police

NEW LENOX, IL — A small plane landed on Interstate 355 near New Lenox Thursday, according to Illinois State Police. Police told Patch a 1975 small, white Beech B24R fixed wing aircraft made an emergency landing due to an engine problem and touched down in the southbound lanes of I-355.

According to police, the plane was flying south when the aircraft started to experience an unknown engine problem. The pilot made an emergency landing on I-355, which caused damage to the front end and left wing of the plane, police said.

Two lanes were closed on I-355 southbound for the investigation and removal of the plane, police said. All lanes were reopened by 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

According to police, the pilot, a 39-year-old man from Wilmington, and three passengers; a 20-year-old woman from Wilmington, a 15-year-old girl from Wilmington, and a 21-year-old woman from Wilmington; were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Federal Aviation Administration was notified of the incident, police said.

According to FlightAware, the plane took off from Lewis University Airport in Romeoville at 11:11 a.m. Thursday. Kathrynne Skonicki, executive director for public relations and communications at Lewis University, said no Lewis students, faculty or staff were involved in the incident.