Cessna Crashes Off Alki Beach, Pilot OK

SEATTLE — Bystanders at Seattle's Alki Beach watched Tuesday as a small plane crashed into Puget Sound, just a few dozen feet from the shoreline. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, watchstanders fielded the first report of a downed Cessna 150 with one person aboard, which crashed a mere 50 feet off Alki Point.

Officials said the pilot was able to free himself from the plane and swim to shore as marine rescue crews rushed to the scene. Coast Guard crews set up a 150-yard perimeter around the plane for safety and monitored the aircraft for any signs of pollution in the water.

One witness on the beach shared footage with FOX 13, showing the plane gliding just a few feet in the air before hitting the water and flipping over. FOX 13 reported the aircraft had a change in oil pressure while flying from Tacoma to Boeing Field.

According to the Coast Guard, the plane's owner hired a contractor to remove fuel from the plane and remove it from Puget Sound, and a full investigation into what caused the crash is underway.