The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a student pilot on the Savannah River around 11 a.m. Sunday after his Piper Cherokee a suspected engine failure.
District 7 U.S. Coast Guard Public pubic affairs officer David Micallef said, the pilot, who has not been identified, realized he could not make it back safely to the airport and landed in the river. Micallef said Coast Guard rescuers from the Savannah Station at Hunter Army Airfield arrived within 10 minutes after being notified by Savannah air traffic control. They hoisted the man to safety and transported him to the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport to receive medical attention.
No injuries were reported.
Bianca Moorman is the education reporter. Reach her at BMoorman@gannett.com or 912-239-7706. Find her on Twitter @biancarmoorman.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Coast Guard rescues student pilot after plane crashes into Savannah River