Apparent Engine Problem Leads To Watery Landing

Two people are safe after their Ercoupe crashed in the St. Lucie River in Stuart, FL Wednesday morning.

The Treasure Coast Palm reports pilot Vincent "Mark" Molina and passenger Gary Hirsch were pulled from the water by a fisherman crabbing near where the plane impacted.

"There was nobody out there but me, so it was kind of lucky in a way," said Donald Plant.

Another stroke of luck -- the plane (type shown at right) came down just behind an area hospital. Furthermore, local police were on a boat nearby, and responded to the scene within a minute, according to Stuart Police spokesman Sgt. Marty Jacobson.

Both men were transported to Martin Memorial Medical Center with minor injuries. The Ercoupe sank in the water, which ranges in depth from three- to- eight-feet.

Molina told the paper the men departed from St. Lucie International Airport on a sightseeing trip, when the engine started sputtering.

"We couldn't gain any altitude," passenger Hirsch added. "Then I heard the engine pop. I said, 'We better get over to the airport.'"

Molina was cleared to land at Witham Field, but soon realized they wouldn't make it that far. He then aimed for the river.

The Ercoupe flipped on landing, but both men were able to climb out of the open canopy.

"We want them to buy a lotto ticket today," Jacobson said.

FMI: www.faa.gov