Smoking Engine Forces Small Plane To Make Emergency Landing In Metro Detroit: MSP

RAY TOWNSHIP, MI — A flight instructor and their trainee had to make an emergency landing in Macomb County on Thursday after their small plane began smoking, according to Michigan State Police.

Troopers said the fixed-wing, single-engine, 1976 Piper Model PA-28-151 had taken off from the Pontiac Airport earlier Thursday for a training session.

During the flight, the engine began smoking due to an oil leak, according to police.

The pilot instructor told the trainee to shut off the engine and attempt an emergency landing at nearby Romeo State Airport at 7:45 p.m. Thursday, according to police.

During the hard landing, the plane's front landing gear broke off and the plane partially skidded down the runway, according to police.

The small plane eventually came to a stop, according to police.

The instructor suffered minor cuts and the trainee was not injured in the incident, according to police.

The FAA was investigating the incident.