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Florida pilot ditches twin-engine Piper in Atlantic off Boca Raton, Florida
Fox News • • nation
Key Points:
- Faith Tenkley, a 23-year-old Florida pilot, successfully executed a water landing in the Atlantic Ocean near Boca Raton after experiencing mechanical issues and engine failure during a flight to the Bahamas.
- Tenkley skillfully avoided obstacles and paddleboarders before landing the twin-engine Piper plane smoothly on the water, then swam to shore where she was quickly rescued by a lifeguard and a fire boat.
- The pilot was the sole occupant, suffered no injuries, and was hospitalized as a precaution; she clarified misinformation that she was a female pilot rescued by a surfer, explaining she was mistaken for a surfer due to her attire.
- Witnesses described the landing as slow and delicate, with pilots praising Tenkley’s handling of the emergency and noting the aircraft remained intact during the water landing.
- The incident occurred about 15 miles west of Boca Raton after Tenkley decided against a potentially dangerous runway landing due to landing gear malfunction and engine failure.
