An aeroplane was forced to make an emergency landing along the Mitchell Highway, 28 kilometres east of the Nyngan Aerodrome at around 11 am on Friday 24 January.

The Cirrus SR22 4-seater aircraft had engine problems and experienced a drop in oil pressure, according to the aviation authorities. 

"I thought it was a drone coming towards me in the air, if I'd been in my van it would have hit the roof," one user wrote on Facebook. 

The plane was travelling from the Gold Coast to Mildura, Victoria when the engine conrod loosened at around 8,000 feet. 

The pilot noticed fire emanating from the engine cowling and smoke entering the cockpit, forcing him to make an emergency landing.

The pilot's first attempt to land on the highway was unsuccessful due to some oncoming trucks but he was successful further down the highway.

Both the pilot and passenger were uninjured and no other motorists were harmed. 

The aircraft was towed to a nearby airstrip where it will be repaired before it is flown away.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said that an investigation into the incident is still ongoing.