Following the crash of their aircraft, a pilot and his dog made a miracle escape by swimming to land together. According to the Los Angeles Times, the unidentified guy was flying a single-engine Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six plane when it crashed into the waters off Rancho Palos Verdes in California at around 5:20 p.m.
The specific circumstances leading up to the tragedy remain unknown, although it is alleged that the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing in the ocean when one of the plane’s engines failed. The two survived the initial collision and swam 150 to 200 yards to shore, near the Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles.
Los Angeles sheriff’s deputies rush to aid pilot and dog after dramatic shore landing
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department’s helicopter was rushed to the location for help after a bystander called 911 to report the incident. Once the pilot and the dog reached the shore safely, they were met by Lomita Station Deputies
”Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Air Rescue 5 on scene deploying #LASD SEB Tactical Medics regarding a small plane in the water off of Rancho Palos Verdes. Saving lives priority 1,” LASD wrote on X, sharing pictures of the rescue.
Meanwhile, deputies who flew over the crash site were unable to locate the plane in the water because it had sunk.
Neither the pilot nor the dog required medical attention later, as no injuries were reported.
The 1981 plane, which sank following the wreck, may have had ”engine issues,” the Federal Aviation Administration told the LA Times.
The pilot’s miraculous escape, along with his dog, made headlines on the internet. Reacting to the picture, one user said,
”As the owner over the years of more than one Cherokee Six, I am not surprised that the plane was (with obviously competent piloting) ditched and floated briefly. Kudos to the pilot for getting out of the one door with his trusty hound.”
Another commented, ”After pilot crashes plane off Rancho Palos Verdes, he and his dog swim to shore! So cool!”