Pilot survives crash landing

Wed, Aug 7th 2013, 10:44 AM

An American pilot crash landed in waters off Exuma yesterday morning after his aircraft experienced mechanical troubles, according to police on the island.

Superintendent Macktavaus Daniels, officer-in-charge of Exuma, identified the pilot as Captain Jefferson Freidas, 44, of Marietta, Georgia.

Freidas, the sole occupant on the two-seat plane, was "shaken up" but walked away from the incident injury free, according to Daniels.

"The pilot said he left Fort Lauderdale, Florida around 7:45 a.m. (yesterday) on his way to Brazil," Daniels said during a telephone interview yesterday.

"When he got about 20 miles from the Exuma mainland, between Stocking Island and Gold Ring Cay, the aircraft developed mechanical difficulties and he landed in the shallow waters there. He walked away with no injuries and the aircraft was not damaged."

Exuma police traveled to the area where the plane crash landed and assisted Freidas.

Shortly after, the pilot was seen by medical officials on Exuma.

He did not complain of injuries, police said.

Daniels said the pilot chartered a barge to retrieve the red and white single-engine Cessna.

The aircraft is expected to be shipped initially to Georgetown, Exuma and then to the United States.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

 Sponsored Ads