Small Plane Lands on Median of Sunrise Highway

To the surprise of motorists, a plane landed on the median of Sunrise Highway in East Moriches Thursday afternoon.

Suffolk County police responded to a call and arriving officers learned that the single-engine ultralight Challenger plane took off from Lufker/Spadaro Airport in East Moriches at approximately 1:30 p.m. and one minute after takeoff, the plane experienced engine trouble.

After trying to return to the airport, pilot Frank Fierro realized the plane would not make it back and instead decided to land on the media near exit 61, police said.

Airport personnel, with the aid of county police officers, towed the plane back to the airport.

The plane was not damaged in the emergency landing.