Pickleball Emergency Plane Landing Toronto: A small plane lost power Monday night while flying over Toronto’s east end, narrowly avoiding pickleball courts, soccer fields, parked cars, and treetops before landing safely. The four-seat Piper Cherokee, built in 1967, came to rest at the edge of a school parking lot, leaving all three passengers unharmed.
Dramatic Moment Over Local Parks
David Sydney-Cariglia noticed the plane while watching his son play soccer at St. Patrick Catholic Secondary School. “I almost felt like I could touch it,” he said, describing the plane’s silent descent past the field and over an outdoor rink where pickleball players were practicing.
Pickleball player Sanjana Bhatia recalled, “There was a slight hum and these lights flying down diagonally.” Michael Mead, another player, saw the pilot and passengers emerge from the upright cabin with no flames or smoke.
Heroic Actions by the Pilot
The pilot, a woman, explained to Mr. Mead that the plane had lost power. She initially aimed for the park lights but aborted the landing when she saw players on the pickleball court. Witnesses noted she successfully avoided the courts, two soccer fields, a major train corridor, and treetops.
Michael Maher, a pickleball player, said, “I don’t think she could have done a better job than what she did. I mean, it’s a pretty tough situation, dark. And nobody got hurt.”
Passenger Safety and Minor Injuries
Mr. Mead noted that the second passenger, an older man, had a minor scratch on his hand. Falcons assistant coach Shawn Phelan, nearby during the landing, said, “I thought I’d be pulling people out, but they came spilling out, a woman and two guys.”
Official Reports and Investigation
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada confirmed engine failure caused the emergency landing. The plane was travelling from Orillia, Ontario, to Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport. Flight Club CEO Mathew Fernandez praised the pilot, calling it a “forced approach” handled with “great proficiency and focus.” The company that owns the plane did not respond to requests for comment.
Witness Reactions
Ms. Bhatia said, “It’s just amazing how she didn’t kill someone or crash into a building or hit a soccer player. It’s just really miraculous. I’m so thankful.”
News in Brief: Pickleball Emergency Plane Landing Toronto
A small Piper Cherokee lost engine power over Toronto’s east end Monday night. The pilot safely avoided pickleball courts, soccer fields, and cars, landing in a school parking lot. All three passengers survived, with only a minor scratch reported. The Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.
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