BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – A small plane crashed into the Florida Everglades in far southwestern Broward County early Tuesday morning, leaving the pilot stranded for hours.
Crews were dispatched to the scene, located about 7 miles west of U.S. 27 and the Miramar city limits, at around 10 a.m.
But, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane went down at around 2:20 a.m., leaving the pilot, the only person on board, stranded for nearly eight hours. It’s unclear why it took so long for authorities to be called to the scene.
The plane reportedly took off from the Okeechobee area.
One man was seen sitting up on top of the wing of the crashed Cessna 172M awaiting rescue.
Pilot hoisted from plane:
According to Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue, the man suffered a leg injury.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue sent a helicopter to hoist the stranded pilot from the water and took him to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.
“To be able to seemingly walk away with just a leg injury after putting an aircraft down in the Everglades with the thick brush is an amazing feat in itself,” BSFR Battalion Chief Michael Kane said. “We’re very grateful that he’s OK.”
The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, officials said.
#BSFR is operating on the scene of an aircraft down in the Florida Everglades near Krome Ave in the area of Mack’s Fish Camp One patient located. Rescue in progress. pic.twitter.com/3ddHCsBi48
— Broward Sheriff (@browardsheriff) October 31, 2023
Approximate location: