The pilot made it out with only bumps and bruises before the plane sank.
It happened just before 11:30 Friday morning in Palatka.
The Florida Highway Patrol conducted the initial investigation, describing the aircraft as a Searey experimental plane.
The pilot appeared to cooperate with investigators on the scene.
“The aircraft was attempting to land, the pilot has a residence in the area, and during the landing in the river the aircraft subsequently crashed,” said Trooper Zachary Stephens.
The pilot didn’t want to be interviewed on camera but said he was doing fine, other than minor scrapes visible on his legs and face.
Spoke to pilot who tells me it was “pilot error”. He was the only one in the plane, other than having cuts and bruises he’s OK. FHP writing up report @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/0rFPI2Ky82
— Lorena Inclán (@LorenaANjax) April 6, 2018
When Action News Jax asked what happened, he said it was pilot error.
“Palatka Fire Department was the first one to get a vessel in the water and got out to the subject, who was being assisted by civilians,” said Stephens.
Sky Action News Jax captured images of the aircraft upside down in the water.
FHP said it’ll be up to the pilot to hire a company to get the plane out.
Betty Niles heard about the crash and said it hits way too close to home.
“I think it’s just crazy because we’ve had a lot of this stuff going on around here lately,” said Niles.
This is the fourth incident involving a plane in Putnam County in less than two months.
The pilot refused to be treated by paramedics on the scene.
He left a short time later when someone picked him up.
FHP said it’ll turn over its findings to the Federal Aviation Administration, which will conduct a more in-depth investigation into the cause of the crash.
Cox Media Group
