MAYPORT, Fla. – A pilot forced to ditch his small plane in the Atlantic Ocean on Friday near Mayport was quickly rescued by a nearby fishing charter group.
Bart Albert told News 6 partner WJXT-TV in Jacksonville that he left Asheville, North Carolina, Friday morning and was headed to Ormond Beach when he lost power to the engine about 10 miles offshore.
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Albert, the only person on board the six-seat plane, declared a Mayday and headed toward land, but had to ditch the 1961 Beech Bonanza in the water about 5 miles out.
He said the plane sank almost immediately, and he was left treading water without a life preserver.
Within five minutes, however, a fishing charter captained by Don Dingman came to the rescue, pulling Albert out of the water.
Check out WJXT-TV for more details.