What happened
On August 21, 2013, at 13:50 local time, a Cessna 150-L, registration EC-KZP, operated by FlyBai, performed an emergency landing on the AP-1 highway near kilometer 21 in Burgos, Spain. The aircraft was conducting a dual-instruction flight from Bilbao to Casarruble del Monte, piloted by a student under the supervision of an instructor.
Approximately one hour into the flight, the engine began experiencing significant power fluctuations. The crew reported erratic RPM drops of approximately 1,000 RPM and audible changes in the exhaust sound, which the student pilot described as feeling like a cylinder failure. Although the instructor attempted to stabilize the engine by adjusting the mixture and throttle settings, the aircraft continued to lose altitude at roughly 400 RPM.
Unable to reach the Burgos airport due to the declining altitude, the instructor decided to perform an off-field landing. After identifying a straight, three-lane section of the highway with no overhead power lines and minimal traffic, the crew flew over the roadway briefly to alert motorists before touchdown. The landing was completed successfully without damage to the aircraft or injuries to the two crew members.