WESTERLY, R.I. (WHDH) - A man in Westerly, Rhode Island was rescued after his plane crashed into the ocean Saturday.
According to Rhode Island state police, troopers received a 911 call shortly before 1:00 p.m. for a report of a plane that crashed into the waters off of Inn Beach in Westerly.
The out of state plane was identified as a small single engine four seat Beech Craft Bonanza.
The pilot, 62-year-old Alexander Piekarski of East Moriches, New York, was flying alone from Long Island to Taunton.
Officials said lifeguards at a nearby beach saw the plane go down and jumped into action.
They said the lifeguards got Piekarski out of the plane and helped him to shore, where fire officials were waiting.
Piekarski was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The initial investigation showed Piekarski experienced a loss of power, and attempted to head toward the Westerly Airport. After a loss in altitude, he decided to make an emergency landing in the water.
The State Aeronautics Inspector along with the FAA and the NTSB will be conducting an inspection of the plane once it is removed from the waters.
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