Pilot lands plane in westbound lanes of Turner Turnpike

(Bristow-AP) -- The pilot of a small plane escaped injury Tuesday when he landed the aircraft in the westbound lanes of the Turner Turnpike.<br><br>The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says the plane was having

Tuesday, January 27th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Bristow-AP) -- The pilot of a small plane escaped injury Tuesday when he landed the aircraft in the westbound lanes of the Turner Turnpike.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says the plane was having engine trouble when the pilot landed on the turnpike near Bristow about 12:30 Tuesday afternoon.

The pilot's name and the type of plane weren't immediately available.Lieutenant Brandon Kopepasah says the pilot avoided traffic on the turnpike while landing in the westbound lanes, then drove onto the exit ramp where the plane stopped. Traffic was blocked for about 20 minutes before the aircraft could be moved off the ramp.

About an hour and a half after landing, the Turner Turnpike was closed down again, so the plane could take off and return to an airport in Tulsa.