2 Rescued After Everglades Crash Leaves Them Stranded on Plane's Wing
Two people were rescued Tuesday afternoon after their small plane crashed in the Florida Everglades, landing upside down in a remote area near Shark Valley.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said the crash happened around 2:45 p.m. with two people on board. Aerial footage showed the plane flipped over in the marsh, with both individuals standing on top of the wreckage as they waited for help.
The pilot, who identified himself as a flight instructor, said he and his student had taken off from the Pilot Training Center at Miami Executive Airport, about 30 kilometers east of the crash site. They had been flying for about an hour when the engine suddenly failed.
“We simulate emergency situations for our students,” the pilot told NBC6. “The incident that occurred today is a typical scenario in Florida. I have conducted similar simulations numerous times, and so has my student. I am pleased that we were adequately prepared and could execute all procedures within a limited timeframe under pressure.”
He said both wore safety belts and harnesses that kept them secure when the plane hit the ground. “That’s what saved our lives,” he said.
Because the crash occurred deep in the wetlands, fire rescue teams used a helicopter hoist to reach and airlift the pair from the site. Both were safely brought back to Miami Executive Airport shortly after.
The pilot said he and his student were in good condition, aside from a small cut on his leg.