EVERETT — After a plane crash Tuesday in Mukilteo caused traffic backups, one man reportedly lost his temper and pointed a gun at another driver.

An Everett police sergeant pulled over the man shortly after. He allegedly held up his hands and said “I did not point a gun at anyone,” according to a probable cause affidavit.

The sergeant had not yet explained his reason for the traffic stop.

A small plane’s engine died shortly after take off from Paine Field around 3:30 p.m. The pilot attempted to land along an empty stretch of roadway near the intersection of Harbour Pointe Boulevard and Mukilteo Speedway. On the way down, the plane clipped power lines and hit a traffic signal, spurring a fuel leak. No one was badly hurt, but traffic became messy as emergency crews blocked off the roadway and the crews worked to restore power to 9,000 people. Many drivers took Highway 99 as an alternate route.

The victim was heading north on Highway 99 near the Empire Industrial Park just south of Everett when he noticed a silver Volkswagen Jetta tailgating him, according to court papers. He told police that because of the traffic, he was driving slower than the posted speed limit. As the Jetta passed on the left, the victim reportedly stuck up his middle finger, according to court papers.

The driver in the Jetta, a 41-year-old Everett man, allegedly pointed a handgun out the window in response.

The victim called 911. He told police he was afraid he was going to be shot.

A police sergeant pulled over the suspect in the 600 block of 79th Place SE in Everett. He told the sergeant he pointed a cellphone at the other driver, not a firearm. A handgun was found in the glove box compartment. It was “loaded, cocked, ready to fire,” police said.

The man’s concealed pistol license also expired in September.

He was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of aiming a firearm at another person and carrying a gun without a license.

Caitlin Tompkins: 425-339-3192; ctompkins@heraldnet.com.