PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — A pilot was rescued by a US Navy helicopter Monday after crashing a single engine aircraft into a body of water in Putnam County.
The Putnam County Sheriff's Office says the single engine aircraft was on approach to the Palatka Airport when the pilot sent an emergency signal and radioed a mayday sometime around 5 p.m.
A US Navy MH-60 Seahawk was in the area and responded to the scene, deputies say.
The Navy flight crew located the downed plane and had the pilot loaded on a rescue basket upon the arrival of Putnam County Sheriff's Deputies.
The Navy kindly gave the pilot a lift back to the airport, deputies say.
PCSO Colonel Joseph Wells said the pilot is in good condition and did not suffer from significant injuries.
A report from the Florida Highway Patrol says the pilot, an 81-year-old man from Crescent City, was experiencing engine problems when he crashed into a retention pond.
This retention pond is located inside the Georgia-Pacific paper mill’s property, in a body of water off Bardin Road, says PCSO.
PCSO said, this was “the best possible scenario” in a situation like this because it would have been much more difficult for them to rescue the pilot in time had it not been for the Navy’s help.
