[INTENSE] Downed pilot! ATC, Coast Guard & Navy Battle the Odds to Save 1 soul #atc

Video Description

On August 13, 2019, a Cessna 172 Skyhawk, registration N84287, crashed into a sandbar on the Escambia River near Jay, Florida, after striking power lines. The pilot, a commercial aviator with over 1,000 hours of flight experience and nearly 800 hours in the Cessna 172, was conducting a routine flight from Brewton, Alabama, to Pensacola, Florida. The aircraft was in good condition, and weather was clear at the time of takeoff. However, the pilot had no recollection of the events leading up to the crash. Shortly after noon, the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal was detected, prompting a call to the operator’s Vice President, who quickly launched a search. Air traffic control (ATC) at Pensacola Terminal Radar Approach Control played a critical role, attempting to locate available aircraft amid severe weather and thunderstorms. With local Life Flight crews grounded and Navy helicopters low on fuel, ATC contacted a Coast Guard MH65E helicopter on a training mission. Despite not being fully equipped for search and rescue (SAR) missions, the Coast Guard helicopter, piloted by a seasoned Lt. Commander, responded. Guided by precise vectoring from ATC to avoid storm cells, the helicopter located the wreckage. Emergency medical personnel reached the pilot by land as the Coast Guard helicopter landed on the sandbar, its wheels sinking into the soft terrain. The pilot, injured but alive, was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Subsequent investigations by the NTSB revealed no mechanical failures. GPS data showed the Cessna had flown unusually low, tracking the river for several miles before descending to 105 feet, where it struck power lines 60 feet above the water. The report cited the probable cause as the pilot’s improper decision to fly at such low altitude without apparent justification. The rescue operation highlighted the exceptional coordination between ATC, the Coast Guard, and local authorities. ATC’s efforts earned commendations, and the mission marked the first search and rescue operation for the MH65E helicopter, showcasing the critical importance of teamwork and swift decision-making in emergencies. #atc #aviation #planecrash https://fearoflanding.com/accidents/accident-reports/crash-at-pensacola/ If you like our contents please SUBSCRIBE to our channel https://www.youtube.com/@Flight_Follower All videos are licensed under Creative Commons or used under YT quidelines of 'Fair Use'i do not own or claim any video. credits goes to respective owners. if you have your videos used and want to make a change email me. so that we can solve the issue. The ATC audio is downloaded from Liveatc.net Email us at [email protected]