NTSB: Engine trouble caused emergency landing on Virginia highway

The National Transportation Safety (NTSB) released a preliminary report recently detailing the emergency landing of a single-engine Cessna aircraft on a Virginia highway last month.

On Jan. 19, a single-engine Cessna 208B (tail number N1983X), performed an emergency landing soon after departing Washington Dulles International Airport.

Flight 246, operated by Southern Airways Express, from Washington Dulles International Airport to Lancaster Airport in Pennsylvania departed from runway 30.

During the initial climb after takeoff, about 600 feet above ground level, the flight crew noticed that the standby power light in the cockpit illuminated. Shortly after that, a sudden, shattering noise and vibrations came from the engine area.

The pilot instructed the copilot to declare an emergency and initiate procedures to return to Washington Dulles. During the turnback, it became evident that the engine was unresponsive, and the airplane was rapidly losing altitude. The pilot decided to land the airplane on Highway 606, near the perimeter of Washington Dulles.

During the landing, the airplane touched down on the paved surface of the road and collided with a steel guardrail before coming to a stop. The flight crew secured the airplane, and the crew and passengers were met by first responders.

The aircraft was later disassembled and transported to a Southern Airways Express maintenance facility at Lancaster.

The NTSB continues to investigate the accident.