A father and his young son escaped without injuries after their small plane made a dramatic emergency landing in the ocean just off Honeymoon Island State Park in Florida on July 12.
Shortly after 12:30 p.m., a Mooney M20F experiencing engine problems came down roughly 25 yards offshore. Beachgoers watched in shock as the low-flying aircraft hit the water.
“We were in the water and that’s where the plane hit. It went boom, boom, boom,” eyewitness BethAnn recalled. Moments later, she saw the young boy emerge from the aircraft, followed by his father.
Another witness, Lukas Gendron, was riding a personal watercraft about 100 feet away when he heard a loud impact. He immediately rushed toward the plane, fearing more passengers could be trapped inside.
Instead, he witnessed an incredible sight — the father and son stepped out of the aircraft and WALKED through the water toward shore.
“Thank God, they were 100% fine,” Gendron said.
Emergency crews evaluated both occupants before releasing them. The FAA’s preliminary incident report confirmed the Mooney M20F “experienced engine issues” and reported no injuries.
Authorities also discovered a small fuel leak from the aircraft. Officials said no more than 25 gallons of fuel was onboard at the time. The plane has since been removed from the water.
