HAYDEN, Idaho — A small plane crashed near a residential construction site in Hayden on Sunday morning, prompting a swift multi-agency emergency response and leaving local neighbors shaken but relieved no one was seriously hurt.

According to the Northern Lakes Fire Protection District (NLFPD), crews were dispatched at around 10 a.m. on July 27 following reports of an aircraft in distress near Lancaster Road and Genesis Boulevard.

Initial reports indicate the small single-engine aircraft experienced mechanical trouble while in flight and was forced to make an emergency landing in a fast-growing residential neighborhood on Hayden’s north side.

The pilot managed to bring the plane down on a newly paved access road close to a house that is currently under construction. “The plane landed on the road and skid into a nearby empty lot,” NLFPD confirmed.

Despite the rough landing, the pilot and the two passengers on board were able to exit the plane on their own before it caught fire. “All three occupants were uninjured,” NLFPD said in a statement released Sunday afternoon.

Responding fire crews from NLFPD and neighboring departments quickly arrived on scene to extinguish the flames before they could spread to the nearby construction materials or surrounding dry brush.

Witnesses in the area said they heard the plane sputtering overhead shortly before it came down. One resident who lives a block away said, “It looked like they were trying to find any open space to put it down. Thankfully they missed the houses.”

The lot where the plane stopped was vacant and sits directly next to an unfinished house that had construction equipment on site but no workers at the time of the crash. No nearby homes or buildings were damaged.

Fire officials say the pilot’s quick thinking likely prevented a much worse outcome in a neighborhood where many homes are still being built and new roads are being paved.

Emergency personnel remained at the scene for several hours Sunday to secure the site and assist aviation investigators.

The cause of the crash is still under review. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are both expected to lead the investigation to determine what went wrong during the flight.

Residents are being asked to avoid the crash site while investigators examine the wreckage and interview witnesses.

NLFPD praised the cooperation of local fire units, law enforcement, and bystanders who stayed clear and allowed first responders to contain the situation quickly.

As the neighborhood continues to grow, local authorities emphasized the importance of staying aware of construction areas and reporting any unusual aircraft activity.

The pilot and passengers were evaluated by medics at the scene and released without needing further medical attention.

Officials have not yet released the names of those on board or the origin and destination of the flight. More details are expected as the investigation progresses.

Originally reported by Tori Luecking in KXLY.