Plane forced to land near Ohio Stadium

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- A pilot had to make an emergency landing near Ohio Stadium this weekend after her plane's engine failed while traveling above Ohio State University.

The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch reported Sunday that Amber Hoekstra chose a grassy portion of land near the university's football stadium as her emergency landing site after her engine suddenly died this weekend.

Witness Chris Guzzo said the plane initially appeared to crashing on Saturday, but Hoekstra was ultimately able to successfully land the vehicle without further incident.

"At first I was, like, 'She's going to crash!'" said Guzzo, who was outside the stadium before an afternoon game against Northwestern University. "It was a weird feeling, watching it come down."

Air America owner Jim Miller, whose company co-owns the Cessne 150L Hoekstra was piloting, said her emergency actions were textbook perfect.

The Dispatch said Hoekstra had been circling the stadium towing a banner for Tuffy Auto Service Centers when the incident began.