LONGMONT, Colo. (CBS4) – A pilot of a small plane had to make an emergency landing on a Longmont street Sunday night.

Police say the pilot had engine trouble and was trying to land at Longmont’s Vance Brand Airport. Instead he had to land early on Hover Road.

The pilot, John Pritchard, then steered his plane into Roger Groves Park.

Tim Barth, the airport manager, praised Pritchard for avoiding cars, homes and light poles.

“As I understand it he went right over the top of another vehicle. The lady did slam on her breaks,” Barth said. “We’re calling it a Christmas miracle because Hover Road is one of the busiest roads, if not the busiest road, in Longmont.

Pritchard’s plane was towed to the airport. Police say he took off from Nebraska and was headed to Boulder.

He was flying with his daughter.