ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Back to school shoppers got a surprise in St. Petersburg when a small plane made an emergency landing on a public street outside a mall.

The single-seat Piper PA-25-260 Pawnee, towing a Geico advertising banner, landed in front of the Tyrone Square Mall Thursday evening after experiencing engine troubles.

The pilot, who has not been identified, was not injured.

The plane struck a tree with its left wing and sideswiped one car upon landing.

Hundreds of shoppers, security guards and others took photos and watched as police investigated.