The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a pilot on Saturday who was forced to make an emergency landing in the Savannah River near the Back River Bridge.WJCL 22 News was told the pilot of the small, private Piper Cherokee brought the plane down in the river near downtown Savannah.Images Tweeted by the U.S. Coast Guard show the plane in the water with its wings and tail barely visible.Chatham County Marine Patrol had two units out on the river looking for the aircraft, which is now fully submerged.According to the Coast Guard, Savannah air traffic control was notified of the downed aircraft around 11 a.m.The Coast Guard already had a crew training aboard a helicopter nearby and diverted them to the scene.They made it there within ten minutes and were able to hoist the pilot to safety.He was transported back to Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport where he declined any medical attention.The pilot, whose name has not yet been released, posed for a picture with the Coast Guard crew who helped save him.Savannah Alderman Nick Palumbo said the plane made an emergency landing west of the Back River Bridge and that the pilot, who was in training, experienced engine failure.In a mayday call posted by the Coast Guard, the pilot reported total engine failure.The Federal Aviation Administration sent WJCL 22 News this statement on the incident:”A single-engine Piper PA28 made an emergency landing in the Savannah River in Savannah, Ga., at 10:45 a.m. local time today. Only the pilot was on board. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide additional updates.”As of Saturday night, the aircraft had not been recovered, but officials know the general area for where it is located.CCPD tells us that a salvage company will be brought in to complete the recovery.
SAVANNAH, Ga. —
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a pilot on Saturday who was forced to make an emergency landing in the Savannah River near the Back River Bridge.
WJCL 22 News was told the pilot of the small, private Piper Cherokee brought the plane down in the river near downtown Savannah.
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Images Tweeted by the U.S. Coast Guard show the plane in the water with its wings and tail barely visible.
Chatham County Marine Patrol had two units out on the river looking for the aircraft, which is now fully submerged.
According to the Coast Guard, Savannah air traffic control was notified of the downed aircraft around 11 a.m.
The Coast Guard already had a crew training aboard a helicopter nearby and diverted them to the scene.
They made it there within ten minutes and were able to hoist the pilot to safety.
He was transported back to Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport where he declined any medical attention.
The pilot, whose name has not yet been released, posed for a picture with the Coast Guard crew who helped save him.
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Savannah Alderman Nick Palumbo said the plane made an emergency landing west of the Back River Bridge and that the pilot, who was in training, experienced engine failure.
This content is imported from Facebook. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
In a mayday call posted by the Coast Guard, the pilot reported total engine failure.
The Federal Aviation Administration sent WJCL 22 News this statement on the incident:
“A single-engine Piper PA28 made an emergency landing in the Savannah River in Savannah, Ga., at 10:45 a.m. local time today. Only the pilot was on board. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide additional updates.”
As of Saturday night, the aircraft had not been recovered, but officials know the general area for where it is located.
CCPD tells us that a salvage company will be brought in to complete the recovery.