Pilot safe after emergency landing on I-20

NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — A pilot is safe after being forced to make an emergency landing on Interstate 20 in Newton County.

The plane sustained very little damage, but authorities said it all could have been much worse.

Channel 2's Audrey Washington contacted a representative with the Federal Aviation Administration, who told her the pilot made an emergency landing at around midnight.

The pilot avoided the passing cars and no one was hurt.

Channel 2 Action News found the Cessna 172m is registered to the "Flight Train Monroe Company."

Rodney Etheredge, a certified flight instructor, is listed as the company's agent. Washington went to his home in Walton County but no one answered the door.

While on scene, the emergency management director told Washington the pilot ran low on fuel and was forced to make the landing.

"They'll probably do a post-accident investigation and hopefully they'll be minimal repairs done to the plane and it'll be back in service," Jody Nolan, emergency management director in Newton County said. "It's not often that you have these types of outcomes in this situation and we are very pleased it was as such."

A Covington Municipal Airport official says the person operating the plane was actually a student.

FAA officials said they could not comment further on the investigation.

Cox Media Group