The single-engine plane that made an emergency landing on I-985 northbound near Buford in January lost all power to its engine shortly before the incident, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board.
The report states a flight instructor and student pilot were on board the Piper PA-28-140 airplane when the emergency landing was made at about 4:42 p.m. on Jan. 24.
The flight instructor reported that she and the student pilot had practiced several maneuvers in the local area and were returning to their home airport in Lawrenceville. When the instructor asked the student to switch fuel tanks, the engine unexpectedly lost all power.
The instructor confirmed that the throttle was full forward and the mixture was fuel rich. The instructor then made a forced landing on I-985 as they were unable to reach an airport.
The airplane's nose landing gear collapsed and the right wing was substantially damaged during the emergency landing.
The NTSB said the wreckage was retained for further examination.
