Pilot Matt Conway successfully touched the plane down on Interstate 85 after suffering engine problems.
The plane skidded to a halt without hitting any cars on a southbound stretch of the road a few miles from Peachtree DeKalb Airport.
Television pictures showed traffic snarled for miles as the Piper Saratoga blocked at least four lanes as rush hour was beginning. It was hauled away a few hours later.
Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said no injuries were reported.
DeKalb County Officer Jason Gagnon said frustrated drivers should be thankful the emergency landing didn’t turn out worse. He said: “We got lucky.”
Eyewitness Jerry Little told WSB-TV: “I saw him right in front of me.
I heard him hit the ground. I mean, it was that close.
“I started shaking. My heart is still beating. It scared me to death.”
By Nick Allen in Los Angeles
