Lewiston pilot makes emergency landing on SR 195

Carmine Petracca, 65, Lewiston, talks with troopers after he made an emergency landing of a single engine Cessna airplane on Highway 195 in front of the Inland Power at Hubbad north of Colfax Monday morning.

He managed to land the plane after clipping residential power service and telephone lines with the tail of the airplane as he made his approach.

According to the report by WSP Trooper Bruce Blood, Petracca said he had departed Lewiston for Spokane early Monday and the 1958 Cessna 182A, began to have engine problems north of Colfax. He turned back toward Colfax with the intent of landing at the airport, but the airplane engine failed and he turned instead to land in the northbound lane of Highway 195.

Petracca told the trooper the Cessna shuttered after hitting the two lines, but it remained on its landing glide.

Witnesses said the driver of a northbound semi truck had to hit the brakes to avoid hitting the plane.

Petracca was able to bring the plane to a stop in the entry at Inland Power, and volunteers managed to help him back the plane into a parking slot. The FAA was contacted, Trooper Blood said.