Pilot Thanks Driver Who Slowed Traffic During I-80 Emergency Landing

PARK CITY, Utah – A flight from Idaho Falls to Provo was cut short after pilot Jackson Walker experienced some unexpected issues with his Cessna 172 above Summit County over the weekend.

“We were almost to Park City by this point when I saw that my oil pressure had just gone to zero,” Walker said.

Walker and a friend had planned to land in Provo just after 6 p.m. Saturday night when their propeller went out. Walker had to make a quick decision on where to land. He knew he could not make it to Heber Valley Airport, so he set his sights on Interstate 80 below.

“Luckily a driver saw us and he started swerving and created some space.”

At 10:00, the quick thinking of a pilot and vigilant driver below that saved lives during an emergency landing @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/KBJJFx8HYV

— Ashley Moser (@AshleyMoser) December 8, 2020

“When we were approaching I-80 I just kept thinking, ‘We’ve got to figure out how to let traffic know that I’m coming,’” he said.

He started flashing his landing lights hoping drivers below would notice and slow down.

“Luckily, a driver saw that and he started swerving and created some space,” he said.

That quick thinking gave Walker the space he needed to land safely. He and his passenger had no injuries and there was no exterior damage to the plane.

Walker was grateful for the driver who was able to recognize what was happening above and slow down traffic, potentially saving lives.

“I just want to tell him how much I appreciate him, how much my family does and passenger and his family,” Walker said. “I am so grateful for people like that, who are vigilant when they are driving.”

KSL got in touch with the driver, Paul Jessop, who said he was glad he looked up to the skies when he did. The pilot and driver are now in touch.