Plane lands in Estero Bay, pilot rescued
Just a day after a pilot of a small aircraft made an emergency landing on a road in North Fort Myers, another pilot in a small aircraft had to make an emergency landing – this time in shallow water on Estero Bay.
The incident took place on Sunday afternoon not long after 1 p.m. when an amphibious floatplane made an emergency landing in a remote, landlocked area of the Estero Bay Preserve, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
The plane was believed to have suffered motor failure and was located in shallow water, Fort Myers Beach Fire Chief Scott Wirth said. Wirth said his department dispatched a drone to locate the boat after receiving the emergency call. Lee County Sheriff’s Office personnel operated the drone and after locating the boat sent out a helicopter to rescue the pilot. The plane was located in an area inaccessible by land, and in water too shallow for a boat rescue, officials with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating the incident, the plane was a fixed-wing, single-engine Kitfox S7 Supersport registered to a Fort Myers pilot.
The pilot was not believed to have suffered any serious injury during the incident. The pilot of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office helicopter lowered down an aerial basket for the airplane pilot to get into and lifted him up to safety into the helicopter.
The rescued pilot was dropped off at an Iona-McGregor fire district command post nearby.
“I am incredibly proud of our Aviation Unit and Third Precinct Patrol, and want to sincerely thank Iona McGregor Fire District, South Trail Fire Protection & Rescue Service District, Lee County Public Safety, and Crash and Fire Rescue for their professionalism, diligence, and outstanding teamwork,” Lee County Sheriff’s Office Carmine Marceno said. “Despite the unique challenges, everyone came together to make this rescue possible. In light of the tragic aviation incidents we’ve seen this past week, today’s successful outcome is especially meaningful. Most importantly, someone made it home safely, and that is what matters most.”
Fort Myers Beach Observer Editor Nathan Mayberg can be reached at NMayberg@breezenewspapers.com