"Yeah, we've got problems with the engine, where's the nearest airport?" the pilot says, according to audio of the exchange posted on the website liveatc.net.

The air traffic controller suggests returning to an airport seven miles behind the plane, but it becomes clear that the pilot of the Beechcraft BE36 aircraft is not going to make it.

"We have a real bad vibration, we're losing engines," the pilot says.

The air traffic controller tells the pilot to look for a highway to land on, suggesting nearby Interstate 495.

"We have no engines, I need help," the pilot says, adding later, "we're gliding."

After a period of silence the air traffic controller says, "radar contact is lost."