FOX News

A solar-powered airplane that was set to complete an historic cross-country journey across the United States this weekend made a dramatic early landing late Saturday, when the pilot noticed damage on one of the plane's wings.

The plane, called Solar Impulse, touched down here at John F. Kennedy International Airport at 11:09 p.m. EDT after fabric on the aircraft's left wing suffered an 8-foot-long tear, according to company officials.

While flight controllers said neither the pilot nor the plane were in danger, the decision was made to land several hours early.