Pilot Makes A Surprise Petaluma Landing — In The River

PETALUMA, CA —A pilot survived a river crash after the aircraft overturned during a training exercise over the Petaluma River.

The pilot, whose name was not released, escaped injury and climbed onto the floats of his overturned aircraft after a crash landing in the Petaluma River, triggering a rescue from Sonoma County emergency crews.

The Petaluma Fire Department and Sonoma County Sheriff's deputies, Henry 1 helicopter crew, and marine unit responded around 6:40 p.m. Wednesday to reports of a plane crash near Shurp Slough, spokesman Sgt. Juan Valencia said in a news release.

Valencia said the pilot had been practicing water landings in a small aircraft when the plane flipped over during touchdown in the river.

The pilot managed to exit the aircraft safely, stood on the floats, and called 911 while waiting for rescuers to arrive.

Fire crews pulled the pilot from the river and transported him to land. Authorities said no injuries were reported, and no passengers were aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board were notified, according to Valencia.