Pilot Makes Emergency Landing in Florida Wildlife Preserve

The pilot of a small aircraft made an emergency landing in protected wetlands in Hernando County, Florida, on July 13, after experiencing a mechanical issue while trying to fly to California, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said.

This footage, released by the sheriff’s office, shows the downed aircraft in a wooded section of the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area off US Route 19.

“The pilot of the Cessna 150 called 911 to report the plane he was flying had experienced a mechanical issue and he was forced to land the plane in a densely wooded area,” the sheriff’s office said, adding that the pilot and one passenger on board were uninjured.

The plane had taken off from Hidden Lake Airport in New Port Richey, Florida, and was en route to California, officials said. Credit: Hernando County Sheriff’s Office via Storyful