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Pilot Emily Shelton Honored With Sheriff’s Medal After I-10 Emergency Landing
August 7, 2026
Flight instructor Emily Shelton was awarded the Sheriff’s Medal on Thursday, following her successful emergency landing on I-10 near 9th Avenue earlier in the week.
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons presented the award to the 21-year-old pilot for her exceptional airmanship and composure under pressure. On Monday, Shelton was conducting a flight lesson when an emergency forced her to land the Piper aircraft directly onto the interstate lanes, swooping under a highway sign and avoiding traffic.
“Thanks to her quick thinking, training, and professionalism, she safely landed the aircraft and prevented what could have been a much more serious incident,” the ECSO said in a statement. “Join us in congratulating, Emily, on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for your outstanding airmanship and composure in a challenging situation.”
According to flight tracking data (pictured bottom, click to enlarge), the plane departed the airport in Pensacola before flying north into the North Escambia area and looping around Barrineau Park.
Comments
9 Responses to “Pilot Emily Shelton Honored With Sheriff’s Medal After I-10 Emergency Landing”
Amazing Job!!!
Great Job Young Lady!! Amazing flying you portrayed would hire you on the SPOT!!
You can fly me anytime.
Job well done, Emily.
Daniel
Calm and focused to what was necessary to land, really professional
Her future will be just as calm and focused.
Going under that sign on I-10 was crazy … crazy good! Congrats on the safe landing Miss Shelton.
Hopefully your new student was not scared off with that experience lol.
Congratulations! Great job! Keep it up!
Truly Awesome!!! She needs a T-shirt saying “Hi, I’m Emily, Come Fly With Me”. Wonderful and amazing, I’d fly with her anywhere!
Great job! I’d say you have a big future in flying!