Pilot makes emergency landing on Illinois roadway

HARTSBURG, Ill. - Authorities say a Springfield pilot flying home from a Wisconsin air show made an emergency landing on a highway in Logan County.

Illinois State Police say pilot Roger L. Thompson landed his 1985 homebuilt Pitts S-2A airplane on Old Route 121 on Sunday about 2 miles south of Hartsburg. Police say Thompson's plane had an unknown mechanical problem. There were no injuries.

Thompson was on his way to Springfield from the Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture Oshkosh.

Thompson told The State Journal-Register at the scene that he considers it "a successful off-airport landing." Illinois State Police responded and the airplane was towed from the roadway.

Illinois State Police say the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation were notified and will investigate.

Hartsburg is about 40 miles north of Springfield.