San Diego

Federal Aviation Administration officials are investigating Wednesday’s crash landing of a private plane on Balboa Avenue during evening rush-hour traffic.

An FAA supervisor said the single-engine plane, which plunged into three lanes of traffic and struck at least five vehicles, was probably traveling at 55 or 60 m.p.h. when it made impact shortly after 6 p.m.

The four-seater Cessna 182 was flown by Bruce Goodwillie, 28, of San Diego, who had rented the plane from the Funbirds Flying Club at Montgomery Field, said FAA Inspector Roy Billings.

Goodwillie told authorities that he was practicing landings and takeoffs from Montgomery Field when he had engine trouble and was forced to make an emergency landing on Balboa Avenue.

Calvin Burns of San Diego suffered multiple injuries when his car was crushed by the plane.

Burns, said to be in his 50s, was listed in serious condition at Sharp Memorial Hospital late Thursday.

There were no other injuries in the crash.

Billings said Goodwillie was a licensed pilot certified to fly single-engine planes.

Wednesday’s accident was the third such crash on Balboa Avenue in the last four years and the second in six months.