plane highway 17

Airplane forced to make an emergency landing on Ontario highway

The pilot of a single-engine aircraft was lucky to walk away uninjured after making a successful emergency landing on a stretch of highway near Marathon, Ontario.

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) North West Region shared an account of the emergency landing's aftermath, the results of an in-air mechanical issue — reportedly an overheating engine — forcing the plane's pilot to touch down on Highway 17 along the shores of Lake Superior, near Neys Provincial Park

"On August 16th, Marathon OPP along with Marathon Fire Dept. and Superior North EMS responded to an aircraft blocking traffic on Hwy 17," reads an OPP tweet.

The provincial police force's investigation "revealed the aircraft developed a mechanical problem and the pilot conducted an emergency landing."

The OPP says that the Elmwood Christavia Mk I aircraft's "lone occupant did not suffer any injuries," and that "The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is continuing the investigation."

The pilot's quick thinking prevented tragedy, though traffic was brought to a temporary standstill on Highway 17 as authorities processed the scene and towed the winged obstruction clear of highway motorists.

Lead photo by

Ontario Provincial Police


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Canada is seeing one of the worst standard-of-living declines in 40 years

Tributes pour in after death of Toronto City Councillor Jaye Robinson

It's going to get way easier to pay transit fare in Toronto with your phone

TTC literally just gave CEO Rick Leary an award days after chaotic subway shutdown

An aggressively spreading invasive species is completely taking over a Toronto park

50 tourist attractions in downtown Toronto you need to visit at least once

Stunning new lookout point overlooking Toronto wetland opens this summer

Stunning new Toronto transit station will link several TTC and GO lines