It’s not unusual to see winged creatures in California’s Death Valley National Park. From American crows to Yellow-rumped Warblers, with all sorts of species throughout the rest of the alphabet, these flyers delight bird watchers. But a red-striped airplane? That’s not in any ornithologist’s guide to America’s hottest and lowest elevation national park.
But a few days ago, park officials announced that a private aircraft had made an emergency landing on a two-lane highway in the southern part of the mostly-California park.
Couldn’t make it to an airport
The private airplane was flying from Pahrump, Nevada, to Ridgecrest, California, when it started experiencing engine trouble in Death Valley airspace. The pilot changed course for the nearest airstrip, Maury Sorrells Shoshone Airport, but was not able to make it. He chose instead to set it down on California Highway 178 west of Salisbury Pass in Bradbury Wash. There is seldom any traffic on the lonely road, so the flat road was as appropriate a landing site as any rural airstrip.
Inyo County Sheriff, Caltrans, and California Highway Patrol personnel responded. They helped to safely escort the aircraft off the highway and onto a wide shoulder where it no longer blocked traffic and could be parked in a safe location. The plane was later removed by trailer. [Note: The video is sideways.]
We think back to the old pilots’ saying: “Any landing you can walk away from is a successful landing.” We’ll classify it as one of those—nobody was hurt.
While the unusual landing happened July 2, the Park Service did not issue a news release, with the video, until late last week.
##RVT1166b
That is a Bonanza A36.
Thanks, Terry! You win the prize.🏆 (Yep, that’s it, unfortunately.) Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Us aviation “experts” here. I believe it’s a F33 Bonanza.
Well, this is why we’re not an aviation newsletter–we have no clue.🙄 The reports that I’ve found online just say it’s a small, private plane. But our readers’ thoughts are all along the same line: Bonanza A36, Beech Debonair, and F33 Bonanza. All I know, living in the Boeing “neighborhood” for 77 years, is that it’s not a Boeing-anything.🤣 Thanks for your input, Mike. And since you may be correct, I’ll give you a prize, also, so you don’t feel left out.🏆😉 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Beech Debonair? Isn’t it short a window for the -36
Thanks, D & J. I don’t know if you’re correct or not, but I’ll give you a prize, also, because you’re at least closer than we were. 🏆 There ya go. Don’t want you feeling left out.😉 Have a good evening. 😀 –Diane
Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 Wow! I am thankful that the airplane landed safely and has been taken for repair. Thanks again, have a great week, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
I think we should all give Diane a prize for handing out so many prizes! 🥇🏆
😅 Yep, I’m real generous when it doesn’t cost me a penny. In fact, here’s a prize for you, too, Bill🏆–just ‘cuz I’m in a generous mood.😉 Have a good night.🤗 –Diane
One other tidbit…. the pilot wasn’t flying to Ridgecrest as Ridgecrest doesnt have an airport. My guess was that he was flying to either nearby Trona or Inyokern as those are the nearest airports to Ridgecrest.