Plane makes emergency landing on Highway 97

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police and the Eastside Fire Department responded to a report of a plane having engine problems that had to make an emergency landing near Highway 97 and milepost 91.

It was reported by another plane in the area, that a single engine plane with one occupant was advising he was having engine problems. This first report was at the south end of Lake Coeur d’Alene and the pilot advised he was attempting to make it to Felts Field in Spokane.

It was reported the engine failed and he was going to attempt to land on a dirt road. Units arrived on scene and learned the pilot had successfully landed on Highway 97 at the top of Beauty Bay Hill near milepost 91. The pilot was identified as Scott Hampton, 53, of Billings Mont. He was not injured and the plane sustained no damage. It was also noted there were no signs of intoxication or medical problems.

The Federal Aviation Administration was contacted and was arranging to get the plane towed from the scene. Idaho State Police has taken over the investigation.