A small aircraft crashed into the Atlantic Ocean shortly after taking off from a North Carolina airfield, leading to a large-scale rescue effort.
The pilot of the single-engine plane was compelled to execute an emergency water landing due to engine failure. Unable to return to nearby jet ports or land on a crowded beach, he opted for the ocean near Oak Island’s Pier.
In the troubling video footage, the plane appears to plunge into the sea before flipping over. Drone images captured the moment when pilot Mark Finkelstein was extracted through the windshield by rescuers, barely managing to inhale air behind the cabin.
On August 2, 2025, at approximately 7:33 PM, Finkelstein’s aircraft began to fail. He couldn’t spot a busy beach, so he aimed for a water landing instead. Upon initial impact with the water, the plane rolled forward and settled almost upright before sinking.
The entire rescue took only about 30 seconds, according to the Ocean Isle Fire Department.
Finkelstein expressed his gratitude to the rescuers in a statement: “My deepest gratitude to all those who participated in rescue and caring for me after my water landing… you were literally a lifesaver!” After the incident, he visited the Southport Fire Station’s Caswell station on August 11 to thank them personally and recognize their quick response.
