Mechanical issues force small plane to land on northern Ontario highway

Small plane landed on Highway 11 in northwestern Ontario after mechanical issues. January 31, 2025 (Skilled Truckers Canada)

No injuries were reported after a small plane had to make an emergency landing on a two-lane highway in northwestern Ontario on Friday evening.

Officers were called to the scene of a plane crash shortly after 5 p.m. Jan. 31 about 20 kilometres north of the Highway 11-17 junction in Nipigon, Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release Monday morning.

Upon arrival, officers found “single small engine plane parked in the middle of the highway,” bringing traffic to stop.

• Get local breaking news alerts
• Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox

“The pilot was uninjured and there was minor damage to the plane,” OPP said.

“It was determined that the plane had mechanical issues during the flight, requiring it to conduct an emergency landing onto the highway.”

Police notified the Transportation Safety Board and the plane was safely moved off the highway.

OPP is investigating the incident and anyone with information is asked to contact 1-888-310-1122.

Anonymous tips can be made through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

By the time of publication, a post on social media made by Skilled Truckers Canada has nearly 2,000 reactions, 338 comments and nearly 1,000 shares.

• Download the CTV News app now

“Hats off to that pilot!!! Right down the middle minimum clearance on either side,” Ernie Tschetter commented on the social media post.

“Always great to see a positive post cause we all know what the alternative means.”

• Want more local news? Check out the Northwestern Ontario page