Incredible Footage: Pilot Deploys Plane's Parachute, Ditches in Ocean

By AUTUMN JOHNSON

A Seattle pilot is uninjured after the plane he was flying had to be ditched several hours into his flight to Hawaii. The plane, which took off from Tracy, CA on Sunday, had equipment issues and ended up in the waters northeast of Maui, according to officials with the U.S. Coast Guard. The incredible ordeal was captured on video. The pilot, Louis Morton, was rescued by a nearby Holland America cruise ship.

Holland America representatives say Morton is a pilot for The Flight Academy, which is based out of Seattle, Washington.

John Fiscus of The Flight Academy told Patch, “Although the aircraft had adequate reserves for the flight and fuel remaining at the time of the parachute deployment, the remaining fuel was unable to reach the engine for unknown reasons.”

Statement released by the U.S. Coast Guard:

The pilot of a single engine Cirrus SR-22 aircraft that ran out of fuel is safe after ditching his aircraft 253 miles northeast of Maui, Hawaii Sunday. At approximately 4:44 p.m. the pilot was able to deploy the aircraft’s airframe parachute system and safely exit the aircraft into a life raft.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu identified the cruise ship Veendam, en route to Lahaina, Maui, and coordinated the pilot’s ditch near their location.

At 5:21 p.m. the crew of the Veendam rescued the pilot. The pilot was reported to be in good condition. The plane was last observed partially submerged. Weather conditions at the time of the rescue were seas of 9 to 12 feet and winds of 25 to 28 mph.

The Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane from Air Station Barbers Point assisted the pilot during the process of ditching his aircraft and maintained communications throughout the ditching process. The Hercules crew remained on scene until the pilot was safely aboard the Veendam.

The flight originated in Tracy, California and was destined for Kahului Maui. At 12:30 p.m. the pilot contacted the Hawaii National Guard and reported his aircraft had approximately three hours of fuel remaining and he would be ditching 230 miles north east of Maui.

Officials with Holland America say this is their third rescue of 2015.

Holland America released a statement following the rescue:

On Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015, at 5:21 p.m. local time while en route to Lahaina, Hawaii, Holland America Line’s ms Veendam answered a request for assistance from the United States Coast Guard to rescue a pilot who had ditched his single-engine Cirrus SR-22 after he experienced a mechanical issue with the fuel system. The pilot was located approximately 225 nautical miles off the coast of Maui, Hawaii.

In partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, Veendam was able to successfully rescue the pilot, who deployed the aircraft’s airframe parachute system and safely exited the plane into a life raft. Holland America Line crewmembers brought him aboard Veendam and provided him food and accommodations. The pilot, who was in good condition, disembarked today, Jan. 26, at Lahaina.

“Congratulations to the team on ms Veendam for coming to the aid of the pilot and for working together with the Coast Guard to conduct this successful rescue operation,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “January has been an eventful month for our ships with several rescues around the world, and we are honored to be able to assist in any distress situation when needed.”

Veendam currently is in the middle of an 18-day Circle Hawaii cruise roundtrip from San Diego, Calif., which departed Jan. 20.

This is the third rescue at sea by a Holland America Line ship in 2015. On Jan. 3, ms Zuiderdam rescued eight crewmembers from a sinking vessel in the Caribbean, and Jan. 4 ms Zaandam came to the aid of seven stranded crewmembers at the Arctowski Polish research station at King George Island in Antarctica.

Morton’s rescue was one of two for the U.S. Coast Guard on Sunday in the waters near Hawaii.

Video courtesy U.S. Coast Guard

Photo courtesy Holland America

Also on Patch:

• Upcoming Water-Heater Regulations Could Leave You Steaming
• Sketch Released: County Coroner Needs Help IDing Man Found Dead In Rohnert Park
• Measles-Infected Person Visited Stores, Restaurant in Gilroy, Milpitas
• Good News For Coastlines Everywhere: New Monitoring Technique For Oil, Gas
• For Young Readers: A Wickedly Clever Book
• East Coast Snowstorm Prompting More Bay Area Flight Cancellations
• Sweet! Krispy Kreme Is Aiming For Your Heart This Valentine’s Day