News Release

Emergency airplane landing on CA-178

A small airplane being escorted off CA-178 to a parking area after an emergency landing.

California Highway Patrol, via Inyo County Sheriff's Office

News Release Date: July 13, 2024

Contact: Abby Wines (NPS), 760-786-3221

Contact: Nichole Andler (NPS)

Contact: Lindsey Stine (Inyo County), 760-878-8576

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. – A small airplane made a successful emergency landing on a road in Death Valley National Park on Tuesday, July 2. There were no injuries.

The private airplane was flying from Pahrump, NV to Ridgecrest, CA when it started experiencing engine trouble over the south end of Death Valley. The pilot changed course for the nearest airstrip, Maury Sorrells Shoshone Airport, but was not able to make it. The aircraft made an emergency landing on California Highway 178 west of Salisberry Pass in Bradbury Wash.

Inyo County Sheriff, Caltrans and California Highway Patrol personnel responded and 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. 

Duration:

13.565 seconds

A small airplane made an emergency landing on CA-178 in Death Valley National Park on July 2, 2024. This video shows the plane coasting off the road onto a gravel shoulder after the safe landing.