Lake City pilot lands, overturns on beach

Engine failure caused a 38-year-old Lake City man to make an emergency landing on a beach near St. Augustine on Monday.

According to a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) release, a plane traveling from West Palm experienced engine failure at 11:37 a.m. while surveying beach erosion from Hurricane Nicole. The engine sputtered three times before shutting off.

The pilot attempted to make it to the Northeast Florida Regional Airport in St. Augustine but decided to land on Anastasia State Park’s beach near 300 Anastasia Park Rd. As he approached the beach, he noticed people on the shore and veered right. The plane landed along the shore, was overturned by waves, and came to rest upside down in the water.

According to the release, the pilot was not injured.