On a late Saturday afternoon in San Diego, drivers on Interstate 805 were confronted with a sight that few ever expect: a small plane making an emergency landing right in the middle of the busy freeway. The incident, which unfolded on August 16, 2025, near Carroll Canyon Road in Sorrento Valley, brought traffic to a standstill and left witnesses both shaken and relieved that the outcome wasn’t far worse.
According to CBS 8, the drama began just after 5:35 p.m. when a Piper fixed wing single-engine aircraft, registered as tail number N8150J and owned by Vandelay Aviation LLC, experienced sudden engine failure. The plane, a 1980 Piper Cherokee according to FlightAware, had taken off from Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport at 5:05 p.m. and was reportedly headed toward San Diego Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, as confirmed by FOX 5/KUSI. Flight tracking data showed that the aircraft made several loops along the North Coast before its emergency descent.
Witnesses along the freeway described a scene of confusion and disbelief. Amber Rivera, who saw the incident unfold, recounted to NBC 7, “My husband was yelling a plane...a plane... and I was just like…ahhh. My husband actually saw the pilot’s face. He described it as very tense while he was landing and my husband watched him as he went down.” Rivera’s account highlights the tension and fear that gripped those moments, but also the rapid response of bystanders. “I was watching and the pilot got out safely, people were stopping, people were getting out of their car and it looked like people were checking on him but it looked like he was safe, but it was very surreal to see, you never see that,” she added.
Fortunately, both the pilot and a passenger on board were able to exit the aircraft unharmed, as confirmed by the San Diego Fire Department and reported by multiple outlets. No patients were transported to the hospital, and remarkably, no injuries were reported among drivers or bystanders. “The biggest thing is that it was scary, but everyone was safe and that’s what’s most important,” Rivera told NBC 7.
The emergency landing, however, brought a wave of logistical challenges to San Diego’s transportation network. Caltrans, the state transportation agency, reported that all southbound lanes of Interstate 805 at the Interstate 5 split were blocked due to police activity. A SIG Alert—a special traffic advisory for unexpected road closures—was issued shortly after the incident, leaving southbound travelers stranded for several hours. According to Caltrans, all lanes were closed at 6 p.m. and did not reopen until just after 9 p.m., with all traffic being diverted to I-5 south during the closure. The closure created significant delays, as drivers waited for the authorities to clear the scene and restore the flow of traffic.
Clearing the aircraft itself proved to be no simple task. CBS 8 reported that a tow truck was initially dispatched to remove the plane, but it turned out to be too small for the job. Crews were forced to bring in a larger truck to haul the aircraft off the freeway, further prolonging the delays for motorists already caught in the traffic snarl.
As the dust settled and the traffic began to move again, questions lingered about what exactly caused the dramatic emergency landing. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) both launched investigations into the incident. While a CHP official on scene told CBS 8 that the plane had experienced engine failure, the full details remained under review. FOX 5/KUSI also reported that mechanical issues appeared to be at the root of the emergency, though the CHP was still working to determine the precise cause.
Flight data from FlightRadar24 and FlightAware painted a picture of the plane’s final moments before its unplanned landing. The aircraft, which had taken off from Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport at 5:04 p.m. (according to FlightRadar24) or 5:05 p.m. (per FlightAware), had been airborne for just over 30 minutes before the emergency. The flight path showed the plane making several loops, possibly as the pilot assessed the situation and searched for a safe place to land. Ultimately, the center divider of the 805 Freeway in Sorrento Valley became the runway of last resort.
The plane’s owner, Vandelay Aviation LLC, is based in San Diego, and records show the aircraft’s registration was current as of September 2024. The company has not issued a public statement regarding the incident as of press time.
For drivers on the 805, the emergency landing was more than just an inconvenience—it was a surreal and unsettling experience. “It was very surreal to see, you never see that,” Rivera emphasized, echoing the disbelief felt by many. Yet, amid the chaos, the incident also showcased the quick thinking and calm under pressure displayed by both the pilot and the drivers who stopped to help.
San Diego has seen its share of unusual traffic events, but a plane landing on a major freeway is a rarity that will not soon be forgotten. The incident has prompted renewed discussion about aviation safety and emergency procedures, particularly in densely populated urban areas where options for emergency landings are limited. While the investigation continues, authorities are already reviewing the response to ensure that any lessons learned can be applied to future emergencies.
As the sun set on Sorrento Valley that Saturday evening, the freeway was once again open to traffic, and the only evidence of the day’s extraordinary events was the lingering memory among those who witnessed it. For many, the most important takeaway was simple: everyone walked away safe, and what could have been a tragedy became a testament to skill, luck, and the resilience of a community brought together by the unexpected.
