A kayaker pulled an individual to shore after a seaplane flipped into the water near the Arlington area Sunday afternoon, according to The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.
First Coast News was able to determine through the Florida Aviation Authority that the plane is a 2012 RANS S-6ES Coyote II, a plane that can be retrofitted with pontoons for water use.
Firefighters said the plane went down near the 6800 block of Howalt Court.
The area was experiencing severe weather with wind gusts of 45 to 50 miles per hour.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said that the pilot of the plane is okay and does not have any injuries.
“He was going through the water and his plane flipped, he landed and he just turned and it flipped, that’s pretty much it," said Jeffrey Rancour.
Rancour said the pilot was safely out of the plane as he approached in his kayak. Jeff said he was on his way back from a fishing trip when he noticed the plane flip.
"He was out of the water on his plane already and we just paddled back to shore," Rancour said. "Yeah, I’m glad that I was there.”
Many stopped by the Lonnie Wurn Boat ramp curious, which included Evan Baker. Baker even decided to jump in a kayak himself and take video and images of the turned over plane.
“I just want to congratulate the survivor and rescuer, it’s pretty awesome to hear that he pulled him out of that kayak," Baker said.
The owner of the plane has arranged to remove the plane from the river on Monday afternoon. There isn't a pollution concern.
The FAA is investigating the incident.
