Experimental Aircraft Came Down In A Marshy Area During Landing Attempt

A 70-year-old pilot spent several hours trapped upside down in his airplane that was slowly taking on water after he went down Sunday about noon in a marshy area near Sumter Airport (KSMS) in Sumter County, SC.

The pilot was not identified. Television station WIS reports that Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis said he was due to land about noon Saturday, but did not arrive. The wreckage of the plane was not spotted until about 5:30, Dennis said.

The plane was upside down in the marsh, and it was reportedly taking on water. Dennis said it took "several" men to flip the plane over onto its landing gear and then extricate the pilot from the cockpit.

The pilot was transported to Palmetto Health Richland. His injuries included multiple bruises and possible broken bones. Dennis said spending that much time upside down in the cockpit with water seeping in was "really traumatic" for the pilot.

The area where the plane came down is surrounded by residential housing "within 500-600 yards of the site," Dennis said.

The type of airplane was not reported.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov