Plane Makes 'Miracle' Landing on Busy Phoenix Street

Drivers on a central Phoenix street took in an unexpected sight Sunday afternoon: a small plane sitting in the middle of 7th Street. Authorities say the aircraft made an emergency landing near Missouri Avenue after reporting engine trouble shortly after takeoff from Hangar Haciendas Airport in Laveen. Three people were on board. The pilot, Mike Tragarz, "saved our lives basically," passenger Hanan Haskell tells KYMA, noting "weird sounds" started coming from the engine before smoke appeared.

Tragarz quickly responded, turning the engine off at around 2,500 feet to prevent a fire, then expertly guided the aircraft to the ground, maneuvering to avoid a street sign, says Haskell. One witness told AZ Family that she got off a bus only to see the plane "literally 4 feet above my head." Thankfully, the plane avoided all vehicles, buildings, and people, though it did strike a water main, prompting repair work, per KPNX. As for the three people on board, "we're a little bit banged up, but we're okay," says Haskell. "Somebody was watching out for us." "It's 100% a miracle," says Phoenix Fire Captain DJ Lee, noting that 7th Street is "always busy," yet "for whatever reason ... all of the traffic was away." The area will remain closed as the National Transportation Safety Board investigates.