Pilot Reportedly Experienced Some Kind Of Mechanical Difficulty, Possibly Fuel Exhaustion

The pilot of an Icon A5 airplane was forced to land in the water off Short Sands Beach in York, Maine south of Kennebunkport on Friday after the airplane experience some kind of mechanical difficulty, according to witnesses.

The website Forsters.com reports that the airplane was launched from a luxury yacht anchored off the beach on Friday afternoon. It was described by beachgoer Ted Chadwick of Dracut, MA as having three decks, two jet skis and a smaller boat along with the airplane.

Chadwick said that the airplane attempted to land several times before disappearing from his view. He said he later saw it being towed back to the yacht by the smaller boat.

York Beach Fire Chief Dave Bridges said he was contacted by a person operating one of the jet skis, who said the plane ran out of fuel. Police said that it appeared to have developed a mechanical problem.

Police said the harbormaster contacted the pilot, the only person on board the aircraft, who confirmed no one had been injured in the incident.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original Report