People Thought Landing Amphib Had Gone Down In The Ocean

It was a calm day on the Pacific ocean at Hermosa Beach. So much so that a seaplane landed on South Bay near the Hermosa Beach Pier Monday for a quick coffee break.

But that's not what people on shore thought they saw. The Daily Breeze newspaper reports that the city released a media advisory saying that a "small plane crashed into the water next the the Hermosa Beach Pier. Both occupants crawled out on the wing and appear OK."

But the emergency crews scrambled, and then found out that there was no emergency. A second advisory sent by the city said "the plane turned out to be a sea plane that landed ... and then took off on its own. This caused a multiple response by the lifeguards, police, and fire."

The Hermosa Beach Patch reports that the pair had wanted to stop for a cup of coffee, and just put the airplane, which was not specified, down on the water for a break.

Now we'll grant you all day long that first responders have a duty to check out something that is phoned in as a "plane crash", but here's the kicker. The Hermosa Beach Police Department reportedly released a statement saying "An investigation is underway as to the identity of the pilot and any violations” he or she might have committed landing on the water near the pier.

FMI: www.hermosabch.org/index.aspx?page=123