Off Block Island – March 8, 1982
On March 8, 1982, a lone pilot was ferrying a single-seat Cessna T188C, (#N9374J), from Virginia to Gander, Newfoundland.
At about 1:15 p.m., the pilot radioed the Federal Aviation Administration’s control center in Nashua, New Hampshire, that he was currently at 9,000 feet over the ocean off the New England coast and was having engine trouble. He was given a heading and directions to Block Island Airport, but a few minutes later he reported he was donning survival gear and preparing to make an emergency water landing. He gave his position as about six miles southeast of Block Island.
The plane went into the water and broke apart, but the pilot was able to extricate himself and climb atop one of the wings. There he remained for about a half-hour until the wing sank. He spent about another 90 minutes in the water before he was rescued by a passing fishing boat. He was then air-lifted from the boat by a Coast Guard helicopter and transported to Falmouth Hospital on Cape Cod where he was treated and released.
Sources:
The Providence Evening Bulletin, “Pilot Ditches Plane, Saved After 2 Hours”, March 9, 1982, page A-7
The Sun, (Westerly, RI), “Pilot Survives Ocean Crash”, March 9, 1982, page 14
