Plane goes down in ocean off Florida beach - CBS News

Last Updated Feb 2, 2016 3:27 PM EST


HAULOVER BEACH, Fla. -- The quick action of a good Samaritan helped save the lives of two people after a plane went down near Haulover Beach on Tuesday morning, CBS Miami reports.

The good Samaritan notified U.S. Coast Guard officials around 11:30 a.m. saying the single propeller engine plane had crashed and was sinking 40-feet away from the beach.

CBS Miami's Chopper 4 was over the scene at Haulover Cut near 108th Street and Collins Avenue.

The Piper single engine plane was seen underwater as authorities were near it.


Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials said two men were on board the plane at the time it went down, but were not injured in the crash.

Lifeguards told CBS Miami that the men were student pilots who had engine trouble and tried to land on the beach but landed in the water instead.

They also said the two men were on the wing of the floating plane when they rescued them. One was brought in on a board and the other on a buoy.

A witness said the plane sunk in under two minutes.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a statement on the incident saying in part, "A Piper PA 28 crashed into the Atlantic Ocean 8 miles east of Opa Locka, FL today at 11:47 am...The FAA will investigate and the NTSB will determine the probable cause"

The plane operates out of Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, according to FAA records. The registered owner is listed as Growl Inc. out of Merritt Island in Brevard County.

 

These plane crashes are scary. Personally, I have never been in a plane but in afraid of heights. Just the thought of getting into a plane sends me into a mini panic attack.

 

Oh no, I hate reading/hearing about plane crashes. Makes me anxious to ever get on a plane again. It's good that no one was severely injured though.

 

I can't think of anything more terrifying than being in a crashing plane. Okay maybe getting eaten alive, or eaten alive AFTER being in a crashing plane. But those are just about my top two NOPE things that I can think about.

 

Yeah, the same. It's sad that getting on board is still some kind of a risk in 21st century.

 

Well, there's always the cliched standby! Still safer than driving!

 

Statistically this is a true statement. According to research you are 19 times less like to die on a plane than in a car no matter how many times you fly. The chance of you being in a fatal accident when you board a plane is a 1 in 7 million chance.

Plane vs. Car statistics.