DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Florida — A small plane crashed into the ocean just off a Volusia County beach, stunning beachgoers at Daytona Beach Shores on Tuesday afternoon.
- Small plane goes down off coast of Daytona Beach Shores
- Volusia Beach Safety: Male pilot climbed onto wing
- Pilot was conscious, alert; taken to a hospital
The male pilot, identified by Volusia County Beach Safety as Richard Goosman, was taken to a hospital by ambulance.
He told authorities he was flying frm North Carolina and ran out of fuel.
The small plane was found near 3333 South State Road A1A after it went down a little after 2:30 p.m. just off Fornari Park. Beachgoers said the plane crashed not too far from a pier.
Volusia County Beach Safety said Goosman got out of the aircraft and climbed onto a wing, where he was rescued by lifeguards. He was the only person on board.
Officials said Goosman was conscious and alert when he was rescued.
Beachgoer Will Grider said seeing a plane fly into the water shocked him.
"It was definitely a scary moment when he came in. He wasn't going extremely quick, but it was just the way he hit the water — nose deep," Grider said.
The plane will be picked up by an aircraft recovery service Wednesday, Beach Safety says.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash.