GLENDALE, Ariz. —  A small plane carrying Secret Service agents assigned to Republican presidential candidate John McCain made a forced landing after taking off from a Phoenix area airport Tuesday, but there were no injuries.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said the single-engine Cessna 206 took off from Glendale Airport just after 10 a.m. The pilot noted a rough-running engine and tried to land in a vacant lot two miles from the runway, hitting a fence. The plane had substantial damage.

The pilot and two Phoenix-area Secret Service agents on board were heading to a potential event site for McCain.

McCain communications director Jill Hazelbaker issued a statement saying the Arizona senator and his wife, Cindy, were relieved to learn everyone was safe.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.