A flagged plane fell into the ocean Saturday afternoon off the coast of Surf City, authorities said.
The plane, a Cessna 150, landed in the ocean near North 13th Street and Ocean Avenue at 3:20 p.m. and the pilot, whose identifier was not disclosed, was the only person on board, an FAA spokesman said.
By the time officers arrived, Surf City first responders Scott Meggitt and Charles Orborne had already rescued the pilot and were taking him back to shore, according to a statement from the Surf City Police Department.
The pilot was treated by Surf City Fire and EMS and transported to the Southern Ocean Medical Center with minor injuries, police said.
The plane had not yet recovered and was about 17 feet underwater, Coast Guard Petty Officer Edward Wargo told NJ Advance Media.
The FAA will investigate in conjunction with the Surf City Police and the National Transportation Safety Board will determine the probable cause of the accident, the FAA spokesman said.
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Chris Sheldon can be contacted at [email protected].