Adam Barney was rescued from the crash site, where his plane ended up sinking
An Orlando man survived a plane crash 3 miles off the Florida Keys and smiled for a selfie with his rescuer shortly after.
Pilot survives crash in waters off Florida Keys, poses for selfie with rescuer
Officials at Key West International Airport notified area emergency departments of a plane experiencing problems on Sunday morning, and that the aircraft would soon be in the water off the coast, said Adam Lindhardt, a spokesman for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Pilot survives crash in waters off Florida Keys, poses for selfie with rescuer
The Miami Herald reported that the pilot radioed air traffic control to say that his aircraft was experiencing engine issues and he was going to attempt a water landing.
Deputy Trevor Pike of the sheriff’s marine patrol water unit arrived at the site of the crash in the Gulf of Mexico and rescued the pilot, identified as 40-year-old Adam Joseph Barney from Orlando, Florida.
Pilot survives crash in waters off Florida Keys, poses for selfie with rescuer
Barney, who did not have life-threatening injuries, was taken to paramedics who were waiting at a nearby resort.
Pilot survives crash in waters off Florida Keys, poses for selfie with rescuer
U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Eric Rodriguez said the Aero Commander 500 aircraft that Barney was flying sank.
Barney has a private pilot license that was issued in 2019, according to the FAA.
Aviation authorities will be investigating the crash.