A veteran pilot’s scenic 20-minute flight turned into a life-threatening ordeal when his small plane crashed into the ocean off the coast of North Carolina.
According to Daily Mail, Mark Finkelstein, a pilot with 17 years of experience, was rescued within moments after his aircraft flipped into the sea near Oak Island Pier on the evening of August 2, escaping with only a minor injury.
Finkelstein had taken off for what was expected to be a brief flight over Oak Island just after 7:30 p.m. The trip was intended to last no more than 20 minutes, providing a short airborne tour along the North Carolina shoreline. But just 13 minutes into the journey, mechanical trouble struck.
According to Finkelstein, the trouble began when the engine started losing power. As the revolutions per minute dropped, it quickly became clear that the engine was failing. Moments later, the propeller stopped spinning altogether, signaling a total engine shutdown with no chance of restart.
Realizing he could no longer make it back to Cape Fear Regional Jetport, Finkelstein quickly assessed alternative options. The beach, which might have served as an emergency landing strip, was far too populated with people to be a safe choice. With limited options, he turned toward the ocean.
Pilot Forced to Choose Ocean as Only Safe Landing Zone
Guiding his single-engine aircraft toward the water, Finkelstein made a low approach just off the coast near Oak Island Pier. The aircraft skimmed the wave tops before impacting the ocean surface. As he attempted the landing, the plane flipped, ultimately crashing upside down in the surf.
When the aircraft settled, it came to rest predominantly submerged but in an upright position. Inside the cabin, a small air pocket in the rear of the aircraft gave Finkelstein a vital lifeline. He later credited his survival to years of training and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
“I wasn’t focused on what I was going to do as a result of the crash,” Finkelstein said, reflecting on the moments during the descent. “I was focused on the training and what I felt I needed to do. You know, get the door open before I landed, that sort of thing.”
Rescue Operations Begin Within Moments of Impact
Emergency crews already stationed nearby for another water rescue were able to respond almost immediately. The Oak Island Beach Safety Unit, Southport Fire Department, and Oak Island Water Rescue were in the vicinity handling a separate incident when Finkelstein's plane went down.
Within minutes of the plane crashing into the ocean, units from all three agencies converged on the scene. Rescuers quickly located the downed aircraft and coordinated a plan to extract Finkelstein. Their efforts paid off rapidly.
“The plane came to rest mostly submerged in an upright position,” stated the Oak Island Fire Department. “Surviving on a small pocket of air in the back of the aircraft’s cabin, Finkelstein was guided by rescuers feet-first, under the water and out through the windshield.”
Dramatic Video Captures Swift Life-Saving Effort
Dramatic footage later surfaced showing emergency personnel pulling the pilot through the aircraft’s front window. In less than 30 seconds, Finkelstein was out and aboard a rescue raft. He was then taken back to shore for medical treatment.
Finkelstein suffered only a leg laceration in the crash. The cut required stitches but was otherwise considered minor. For a pilot whose aircraft had experienced full engine failure and capsized at sea, walking away with only a minor injury was nothing short of fortunate.
“I was so fortunate that the impact didn’t injure me and doubly fortunate that the Oak Island Water Rescue got to me so quickly. That was huge. That was the key to the whole thing,” Finkelstein said.
Training and Rapid Emergency Response Credited for Outcome
Finkelstein emphasized the importance of preparation and remaining focused during emergencies. He noted that thinking clearly under pressure and making swift decisions helped him survive the crash. Key among those was identifying the ocean as the safest available landing option given the crowded beach.
From the moment the engine died to the moment he was released from the aircraft’s windshield, every second counted. The coordinated effort of local emergency agencies ultimately ensured that a potentially tragic situation had a near-miraculous ending.
The community has since recognized both Finkelstein’s skill in handling the emergency and the emergency crews’ ability to conduct such a timely and efficient rescue. For bystanders near the pier that evening, the crash served as a striking reminder of the risks pilots face even on short, familiar flights.
Crash Raises Awareness of Mid-Flight Emergencies
Local authorities have not yet released detailed findings on the technical cause of the engine failure. However, the incident underscores the unpredictable challenges of general aviation, especially when flying over bodies of water with limited landing options.
For Finkelstein, the outcome could have been vastly different without a combination of experience, fast action, and the proximity of trained responders. His story stands as evidence of how preparation and timing can make the difference between disaster and survival.
“It was literally going to be about a 20-minute flight just down the length of Oak Island, turn around, and come back in,” he said. What began as a simple plan ended with a life-saving rescue effort that he—and the community—won’t soon forget.
