Lands On Florida Turnpike After Engine Trouble

Barry Squire was minding his own business, flying along in his 1960 Nesmith Cougar (file photos of type, right and below) shortly after take-off, when he realized he was about to miss his exit.

So he made what the Florida Highway Patrol says was a perfect landing on Florida's Turnpike in northern St. Lucie County.

Squire said he had just departed St. Lucie County International Airport when he found his engine running rough. His oil pressure was low. He turned his homebuilt back toward the runway, but couldn't make it.

He touched down at about 4:40 pm EDT Monday in the southbound lanes of the turnpike, then taxied to the side of the road. Although he landed in rush hour, traffic was reportedly light.

The aircraft suffered no visible damage. No delays were reported.

FAA Preliminary Accident Report

IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 7803C        Make/Model: EXP       Description: COUGAR
  Date: 04/26/2004     Time: 2042

  Event Type: Incident   Highest Injury: None     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: None

LOCATION
  City: FORT PIERCE                 State: FL   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  ACFT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON THE HIGHWAY 10 MILES WEST OF FORT PIERCE,
  FL

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   0
                 # Crew:   1     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Pass:    0     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Grnd:           Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   

WEATHER: CLR 1405 28/19 2996                                                        
                                                                                    
                                                        

OTHER DATA
  Activity: Pleasure      Phase: Landing      Operation: General Aviation

  Departed: FORT PIERCE, FL             Dep Date: 04/26/2004   Dep. Time: 2038
  Destination:                          Flt Plan: UNK          Wx Briefing: U
  Last Radio Cont: 10W OF FORT PIERCE, FL
  Last Clearance: CLRD FOR TAKEOFF

  FAA FSDO: ORLANDO, FL  (SO15)                   Entry date: 04/27/2004

FMI: www.ntsb.gov