Plane Forced To Land On Roadway In High Desert

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed a small plane was forced to land on a roadway in Joshua Tree National Park Wednesday afternoon.

Spokesman Ian Gregor said the Cessna 182’s pilot told air traffic control workers his plane was running low on gas around 3:20 p.m., forcing him to land well-short of any runway.

Rescue teams and park rangers found the plane about 13 miles north of Interstate 10, near Chiraco Summit, and about six miles north of the Cottonwood Visitor’s Center.

Authorities said the plane took off from Mesa, Arizona and was headed to Hemet.

Two people on board — the pilot, Richard Piccirilli of Sun City, California and an unidentified female passenger — were not hurt in the emergency landing.

There was only minor damage to the plane. It was removed to the side of the road to clear the roadway for vehicle traffic.

Federal Aviation Administration officials ordered that the plane not be flown out of the park.

After further consultation among park officials and the pilot, it was agreed to remove the plane by tow truck.

The California Highway Patrol also said the pilot did not file a flight plan.