Their plane crashes off the coast: the pilot and his dog swim away and manage to return to shore

Les circonstances qui ont conduit à cette panne restent floues. Capture d'écran Twitter

Victims of an accident to their small plane this Sunday, April 14, 2024 off the Ranchos Palos Verdes coast in California, a pilot and his dog managed to swim and return to shore.

The accident was reported around 5:20 p.m. this Sunday near Ocean Trails Drive, adjacent to the Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles, reports the County Sheriff's Department. Los Angeles.

The pilot was on a flight from Santa Monica to Long Beach when one of his plane's engines failed over the sea. The man said he had to land urgently on the water. Accompanied by his dog, he then swam to shore while the plane sank.

The pilot and his dog are unhurt

The circumstances that led to this failure remained unclear on Monday, according to the Los Angeles Times. The plane crashed approximately 150 to 200 meters from the shore and a passerby called 911, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Air Rescue 5 on scene deploying #LASD SEB Tactical Medics regarding a small plane in the water off of Rancho Palos Verdes. Saving lives priority 1. pic.twitter.com/9QGgM77Qkl

— SEB (@SEBLASD) April 15, 2024

For their part, the pilot and his dog escaped with minor injuries, Los Angeles County Fire Supervisor Bernard Peter told the Los Angeles Daily News.

The plane had already sunk

An air rescue team and divers were sent to the accident site to locate the small plane. But the plane, a single-engine Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six, had already sunk and there was no attempt to pull it out of the water.

The Federal Aviation Administration classified the incident as an accident due to engine problems, reports the Los Angeles Times.