Pennsylvania State Police received a call at approximately 9:19 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026, reporting a plane on I-78 east in Weisenberg Township. Investigators determined the 1995 Commander 114B aircraft had departed from Solberg Airport in New Jersey and was headed to Indiana when the pilot reported unknown engine problems, State Police said.
The pilot, a 65-year-old man from Michigan, attempted to reach a nearby airport but instead landed at mile marker 45.6, state police said.
Bonnie Magrowski said she was driving along when she saw the plane in the shoulder.
"It must have just landed as there were no emergency vehicles around," she tells Daily Voice. "Everyone was just so kind to slow down and go around him. He was truly a blessed man today."
No injuries were reported for the pilot or a 34-year-old female passenger from New Jersey.
The landing forced all eastbound traffic to be detoured at Exit 40 in Greenwich Township, Berks County, while westbound lanes remained open, according to state police.
Eastbound lanes reopened at 1 p.m. after the plane was removed and towed to a nearby airport, officials said.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.
Click here to follow Daily Voice and receive free news updates.
