Landing a single engine propeller plane on Highway 407 in Markham was the only safe option for the pilot.

The Piper PA-28 touched down in the eastbound lanes near the off-ramp at Woodbine Avenue late this morning.

The pilot, identified by police as Ibrahim, says he told the OPP he left Buttonville Airport, reached an altitude of 2,000 feet when the engine began to sputter.

”Once we turned towards Buttonville, we knew we couldn’t make the field, it was a really tough decision.  At that point we had to turn right for the highway,” he explained.

The pilot says he and his co-pilot tired to restart the engine, but assumed it was not coming back.

”It was either this (landing on the highway) or the buildings.  I was happy this worked out.”

Both occupants were not hurt.

The plane, registered to Caribbean Flying Club in Toronto, did not sustain any damage.

Provincial police are investigating.