Two Aircraft Down In The Florida Keys, Both Pilots Survive

The 7th District of the U.S. Coast Guard responded to two airplanes down in the Florda Keys in separate incidents this weekend. Fortunately, both pilots survived their accidents, though one was transported to a Miami hospital.

Personnel from the Coast Guard, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Key West Fire Rescue responded to a downed airplane in Cow Key Channel Friday night.

The Coast Guard was notified shortly after 2200 EDT Friday of a downed Cessna 172 Skyhawk aircraft. The Coast Guard issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast, launched a Coast Guard Station Key West 33-foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement vessel crew, and coordinated closely with FWC and Key West Fire Rescue personnel.

The aircraft, owned by Island City Flying Services, was operating out of Key West International Airport completing nighttime touch-and-go landings. The pilot of the aircraft was located by a good Samaritan approximately an hour after the plane went down. Key West Fire Rescue transported the pilot--who was confirmed to be the only person aboard--to Trauma Star for air evacuation to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.

"We appreciate the good Samaritan’s efforts and our great team effort with our port partners," said Capt. Pat DeQuattro, commander, Coast Guard Sector Key West. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the pilot for a speedy recovery.”

Less than 24 hours later, The Coast Guard responded to a downed airplane about 40 miles north of Key West Saturday night.

The Coast Guard was notified of the second downed aircraft after 2100 EDT Saturday. The downed aircraft, also a C-172 was en route to Key West from Bartow, FL.

Immediately upon notification, the Coast Guard launched an Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, an Air Station Miami HU-25 Falcon jet crew, a Station Key West 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew, and issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast (UMIB).

File Photo

The crew of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ship Thomas Jefferson heard the issued UMIB, ceased its surveying duties approximately 30 miles from the downed aircraft, and made way toward the search area to assist. Shortly after 0100 Sunday, lookouts on Thomas Jefferson located the pilot--the only passenger aboard the downed aircraft.

“Thomas Jefferson's crew found the pilot swimming alone, having drifted about two miles from the reported crash site," said NOAA Cmdr. Shepard M. Smith, the commanding officer of the Thomas Jefferson. "We initially heard his voice calling for help, and then saw him in our searchlights waving the white checkoff list he had found after the crash. We are very pleased to have been able to help avert a real tragedy.”

The Thomas Jefferson crew recovered the pilot, rendered medical assistance, and transferred the pilot to the Station Key West 45-foot Response Boat-Medium for transport to EMS personnel waiting ashore.

FMI: www.uscg.mil/d7/