Small Plane Plunges into Ocean Near Boca Raton

A small plane crash occurred off the coast of Boca Raton, Florida, involving a single-engine aircraft piloted by Faith Tenkley, 23, who managed to safely navigate a water landing in the Atlantic Ocean.

Witnesses captured the dramatic incident on video, showing Tenkley maneuvering her family’s twin-engine Piper plane around buildings before making a smooth landing near the beach at around 9:40 a.m. The pilot avoided paddleboarders and found open water next to the shore.

Immediate Rescue Operation

A lifeguard quickly responded, reaching Tenkley within a minute of the plane going down near 250 South Ocean Blvd. A rescue boat from Boca Raton Ocean Rescue followed shortly after, according to authorities. Tenkley, the only person aboard, emerged from the experience uninjured.

The video also showed Tenkley sitting on the beach, watching the plane sink into the ocean. The tail section of the aircraft was visible above the water.

Addressing Misinformation

Tenkley spoke with Gulf Coast News to correct false reports regarding the incident. Contrary to some online stories, she explained that she was the pilot, and the lifeguard, not a surfer, assisted her after the crash.

Tenkley was dressed in a long skirt over her bikini, leading beachgoers to mistakenly believe she was a surfer helping a male pilot.

Cause of the Water Landing

Mechanical issues forced Tenkley to divert from her planned route to Bimini, the Bahamas. She departed Page Field in Fort Myers and intended to pick up her parents before the emergency. About 15 miles from Boca Raton, she encountered landing gear problems and feared a runway landing could ignite the refueled aircraft.

The failure of the plane’s right engine prompted Tenkley to quickly decide on a water landing to avoid further risk.

Eyewitness Accounts

Beachgoers watched in amazement as the aircraft descended and calmly landed on the water. Maria Marks, a witness, shared her experience, surprised by the plane’s maneuver. Alexis Arizzi described the descent as slow and gentle.

Pilot observers at the beach commended Tenkley’s skill in handling the emergency, noting that the plane remained intact post-landing.