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Pilot rescued after floatplane flips in East Palatka

65-year-old pilot suffered minor injuries but was not hospitalized, troopers say

A floatplane flipped Tuesday in the St. Johns River in East Palatka, authorities said. (WJXT)

EAST PALATKA, Fla. – A good Samaritan rescued the pilot of a floatplane flipped over after landing in the St. Johns River in East Palatka on Tuesday, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, it happened about 4:50 p.m. near Riverview Drive just north of Count Road 207A.

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The Highway Report shows a 65-year-old Palatka man attempted to land his 2005 Aventura II amphibious biplane in the river but didn’t realize that the wheels were not retracted. Troopers said the plane broke apart upon landing and sunk into the river.

Troopers said a person who lives nearby saw what happened and went out in a boat to pick up the pilot, who escaped with minor injuries. The Highway Patrol report shows the pilot was not taken to a hospital.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the Coast Guard were contacted about the incident, troopers said.


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