By Associated Press - Friday, September 11, 2020

OKALOOSA ISLAND, Fla. (AP) - The pilot of a small plane carrying an advertising banner was able to escape from the aircraft after it crashed into the Gulf of Mexico.

The pilot was not hurt when the plane downed into the water off the coast of Florida’s Okaloosa Island on Thursday afternoon, according to Okaloosa Beach Safety Chief Rich Huffnagle.

The pilot lost power and guided the plane into the water between a fishing pier and a beachside park, Northwest Florida Daily News quoted Huffnagle as saying.



Okaloosa Beach Safety lifeguards and the Okaloosa Island Fire Department were called to the scene, and the U.S. Coast Guard also assisted in the rescue effort.

Okaloosa Island is a barrier island off Fort Walton Beach.

Copyright © 2026 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.