Traffic’s Plane Crazy

Pilot makes miracle landing on highway

Photo by David Greene

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 6- The stars must have been aligned perfectly as a single-engine fixed-winged plane, with three passengers onboard, made an emergency landing-- on the northbound Major Deegan Expressway.

The unusual incident was reported at 3:26 p.m., on January 4, when a member of the NYPD's Emergency Service Unit confirmed the incident, frantically telling his dispatcher, "Small plane down in the right two lanes."

The difficult landing on the three-lane highway was made more difficult as the two outside lanes had less room than normal due to the recent snowfall.

Less than two minutes later the officer told his dispatcher, "We are at the job, it looks like the airplane is in an upright position... were not confirming any injuries or not, but it looks to be a pretty good hard-landing at this location."

Partial credit for the averted tragedy goes to the quick-thinking road crew with the Department of Transportation, who were already blocking two lanes, filling potholes when they spotted the troubled plane and quickly used their vehicles to block the third lane, so the pilot could land.

First responders removed the 50-year-old male pilot and two female passengers, ages 43 and 20 who were transported to St. Barnabas Hospital with minor bumps and bruises. One of the passengers suffered a nasty bump on her head, but was expected to recover.

The Piper Cherokee PA-28 was built in 1966, took of From Danburry, CT. for a sightseeing trip around the Statue of Liberty and was returning to Connecticut when engine failure forced the aircraft down.

One Woodlawn resident, who declined to give his name, explained a friend had seen a ticker across the television screen, adding, "We live a couple blocks away and we came over."

Asked if he was surprised by the site, he replied, "Everything happens over here, you never know."

The miracle landing was reminiscent of former American Airlines pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who set a jumbo jet down on the Hudson River back on January 15, 2009.

The incident was the first breaking-news story of Mayor de Blassio's administration, prompting his remark to members of the media, "I thought I'd seen everything in my life," and calling it, "a bit of a miracle."   

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Baby New Year

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Baby New Year: BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 2- The first Montefiore baby of 2014 was born January 1 at 12.15 am. Kairi Evany Cid Bravo was born at Montefiore’s...

Baby New Year

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 2- The first Montefiore baby of 2014 was born January 1 at 12.15 am. Kairi Evany Cid Bravo was born at Montefiore’s Weiler Hospital on the Einstein Campus, weighing in at 7 lbs, 13 oz and measuring 19 ½ inches. Pictured below is proud first-time Mom Kaori Bravo from the South Bronx with Nurse Christine Palazzo at the Mother and Baby Unit at Montefiore’s Weiler Hospital.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cops Still Searching for Bodega Bandit

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cops Still Searching for Bodega Bandit: By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 31- Police are still searching for a gunman who held up two grocery stores within two hours in t...

Cops Still Searching for Bodega Bandit

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 31- Police are still searching for a gunman who held up two grocery stores within two hours in two different nabes in the confines of the 45th Precinct.

Cops are asking for the public’s help once again to help identify the suspect in the two armed robberies. The first stickup occurred at Zerega Deli and Grocery on December 22. At around 1 p.m., the suspect walked into the store on Zerega Avnue, displayed a weapon and demanded money. The clerk forked over the cash and the perp fled. 

Two hours later the gunman struck again. At around 3:35 p.m. that same day, the suspect walked into Steve’s Deli & Grocery on Mayflower Avenue. Inside the Pelham Bay grocery, the man showed off a firearm and fled with the cash.

Investigators released surveillance video of the suspect and the alleged get-away vehicle. The gunman was seen wearing a red shirt, green knit hat and blue jeans.

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

 All calls are strictly confidential.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fireworks Explosion

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fireworks Explosion: Following Fireworks Shake and Wake in Park, Pol Calls for Stiffer Sentences for Vandals  BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 31- In the wake o...

Fireworks Explosion

Following Fireworks Shake and Wake in Park,

Pol Calls for Stiffer Sentences for Vandals 

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 31- In the wake of a major fireworks explosion Monday night in the Bronx, State Senate Co-Leader Jeff Klein announced he will introduce legislation that would dramatically increase penalties for vandals who set-off fireworks explosions causing more than $1,000 in property damage or public panic. Assemblyman Michael Benedetto (D-Bronx) will sponsor the legislation in the Assembly.

“New Year’s Eve should be a time for public celebration, not panic and fear. Last night’s explosion was terrifying and has no place in any community,” Senator Klein said. “If these types of vandals think they can get away with a slap on the wrist, they’re dead wrong. I will not risk letting our young people think that this type of life-threatening vandalism is ok here or anywhere else in New York.”

Assemblyman Benedetto said, "It is important that we send a message to all who think something like this is a 'fun prank'. It is anything but. Terrifying our residents in the middle of the night is anything but fun and they should be held responsible."

Currently, an individual who illegally explodes fireworks faces a maximum of 15 days in jail. But under Sen. Klein’s proposed legislation, an individual who illegally explodes fireworks and causes $1,000 or more in property damage or public panic would face a sentence of between 1- 4 years in prison. The legislation would elevate the offense from a violation  to a Class E felony.

Community Board 10 Chairman John Marano said, "It is scary knowing that the perpetrator of this explosion can just walk the streets and get away with harming others. I applaud Senator Klein for recognizing the need to hold those that cause public panic like this accountable. The common person should never have to live in fear."

Al Carena, President of Spencer Estates Civic Association said, "In this current climate we live in, incidences like this can cause public alarm and should be addressed. The New York State Legislature should take a look and consider this bill." 

Frank W. Diefenbach, Affected Homeowner on Middletown Road said, "The perpetrator of this explosion showed no regard for our property or for the safety of local residents and animals in the area who could have been hurt or injured. I think this legislation is a wonderful idea and it’s something that needs to be done to protect homeowners like me."

Monday night’s incident, which occurred inside Pelham Bay Park at approximately 11:00 p.m., is currently under investigation by the Arson and Explosion Squad and by the 45 Precinct Detective Squad. Damage to at least three homes has been reported as a result of the explosion.