Small Plane Went Down In Sarasota Bay, Pilot Walks To Shore

Sarasota FL

09 November, 2021

5:46 PM

Description

SARASOTA, FL — A pilot walked away uninjured after the small plane he was flying went down in Sarasota Bay Tuesday afternoon. The pilot was the only person aboard the single-engine plane that took off around 2:30 p.m. from the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport and made an emergency landing in the bay, Rich Voniderstine, the airport operations officer, said. As the Cessna plane made its approach to return to the airport around 4:07 p.m., the pilot experienced "some type of mechanical issue," Randy Warren, public information officer for the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, told Patch. He was forced to set the aircraft down in the shallow water just south of Bay Drive. After landing the plane, the pilot was able to walk to shore, Warren said. There was no damage to any nearby residences. The aircraft is owned by Cirrus Aviation, a local flight school based in Sarasota, Voniderstine said. Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Sarasota newsletters and real-time email alerts. In addition to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, the U.S. Coast Guard also responded to the scene, he added. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident, Warren said. Patch has reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard and Cirrus Aviation for more information. This is a breaking news story. Check back for more developments.