Morgan Freeman in mid-air scare, private plane makes emergency landing

Morgan Freeman was in for a scare Saturday when his plane experienced problems and had to make an unexpected landing that damaged the aircraft but left the Oscar winner unscathed, reports said.

The plane landed in Tunica, Mississippi, with a blown out tyre, according to local NBC affiliate WMC.

"Sometimes things don't go as planned and a tyre blew on take-off which caused other problems. But thanks to my excellent pilot Jimmy Hobson we landed safely without a scratch," Freeman said in a statement quoted by NBC News.

"I cannot say the same about my plane," Freeman said. "I appreciate the concern and prayers for our safety."

Freeman has starred in many box-office hits and television shows and won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 2005 for his role in "Million Dollar Baby."

WMC reported that Freeman was headed to Houston, Texas, from Clarksdale, Mississippi.