FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - A South Florida mother is speaking out, one day after her son was forced to crash-land a small plane on a Florida highway, Sunday night.
Zorana Locki closely held a framed picture of her son, 35-year-old Stevan Locki, as she spoke from her Fort Lauderdale home about the incident that placed him and passenger Brandi Lee Bishop in the path of danger near Flagler Beach.
“He had engine failure or something,” said Zorana. “Everything stopped working, and he had to land.”
The pilot, 35, reportedly told investigators that he had refueled at Flagler County Airport before the aircraft began to lose power mid-flight.
Stevan then added he had no choice but to land on the Flagler County highway.
“He landed the best he could, and I think he did a great job,” said Zorana. “He’s an excellent pilot.”
According to officials and pictures from the scene, the small plane caught fire after it crash-landed.
“I watched the video, and I was devastated,” said Zorana. “I thought he did not make it.”
Thankfully, no one was hurt.
Stevan resides in Fort Lauderdale. Bishop, a Miami resident, is Stevan’s girlfriend.
“He had his guardian angel watching over him, and I’m very thankful,” said Zorana.
The grateful mother said she cannot wait to hug her son. “I can’t wait to see him,” she said.
Bishop later told 7News Locki proposed to her a few hours after the ordeal. She said yes.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
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