Pilot Mark Finkelstein was flying a single-engine plane when he encountered a technical failure, forcing him to make an emergency landing in the sea. He was unable to return to Cape Fear Regional Airport due to the congested coastal area, according to a statement from the Oak Island Fire Department.
Immediately after the plane crashed, rescue teams from the Oak Island Fire and Water Rescue rushed to the scene and were able to save Finkelstein within minutes. The statement explained that multiple rescue and beach safety units were near the site and quickly managed to pull the pilot from the sinking plane and rescue him.
Following the rescue operation, Finkelstein, who appeared to be fully conscious, was placed on a stretcher and transported via rescue boat to the shore before being taken to the hospital for treatment of a minor leg injury. He was later allowed to return home.
American media reported that the plane crashed about 13 minutes after taking off from Cape Fear Airport, and the flight was supposed to last only about 20 minutes. Finkelstein stated in a press release, “I was very lucky not to be seriously injured in the crash, and fortunately, the rescue team reached my location quickly.”
