A 23-year-old pilot survived an emergency water landing in the Atlantic Ocean off Boca Raton, Florida, on Saturday morning. Faith Tenkley was the only person aboard the Piper aircraft and was rescued shortly after the plane reached the water. Video recorded by a beachgoer showed the aircraft descend near the shoreline, followed by a rapid lifeguard response.
Tenkley said mechanical problems developed during a flight from Fort Myers to Bimini in the Bahamas, where she planned to pick up her parents. After the landing gear malfunctioned and one engine failed, she chose an open stretch of ocean rather than risk a hard landing on a recently refueled aircraft.
| Article Subheadings | |
|---|---|
| 1) | Emergency develops during flight |
| 2) | Pilot chooses an ocean landing |
| 3) | Beach video captures the descent |
| 4) | Lifeguards complete a rapid rescue |
| 5) | Pilot corrects misinformation about rescue |
Emergency develops during flight
Faith Tenkley, who has been a pilot for four years, departed Page Field in Fort Myers on Saturday, August 23, bound for Bimini. About 15 miles west of Boca Raton, she experienced mechanical problems and initially planned to divert to Boca Raton Airport.
The situation worsened when the landing gear malfunctioned and the aircraft’s right engine failed. Tenkley said the combination of problems forced her to make a quick decision while approaching a populated coastal area.
Pilot chooses an ocean landing
Tenkley decided that ditching in the Atlantic was safer than attempting a hard runway landing in an aircraft that had recently been refueled. She maneuvered the twin-engine Piper around buildings and paddleboarders before identifying an open area of water beside the beach.
The aircraft made what witnesses described as a smooth or delicate landing at approximately 9:40 a.m. local time. The controlled approach helped keep the plane intact as it entered the water, although it later began sinking with part of its tail visible above the surface.
Beach video captures the descent
A beachgoer’s video showed the low-flying plane descending toward the water near 250 South Ocean Blvd. in Boca Raton. The footage captured the landing, the rescue response and the aftermath as Tenkley sat on the beach looking toward the aircraft.
Witnesses said the scene unfolded quickly on a busy beach. Maria Marks described the surprise of seeing the aircraft overhead while she was with her child.
“One second I’m spraying sunscreen on my kid. The next I’m looking up and saying, ‘Is that supposed to be happening?’”
Alexis Arizzi separately described the aircraft’s descent as slow and said it “delicately landed” on the water.
Lifeguards complete a rapid rescue
A lifeguard reached Tenkley about one minute after the aircraft went down. A Boca Raton Ocean Rescue fire boat followed shortly afterward, according to local authorities.
Tenkley was the sole occupant and was taken to a hospital as a precaution. Boca Raton police said no injuries were reported. The video showed her swimming away from the plane and returning safely to shore while emergency personnel responded.
Pilot corrects misinformation about rescue
Peter Busch reported that Tenkley spoke publicly to correct online claims that a male pilot had been rescued by a female surfer. Tenkley was wearing a long skirt over a bikini and removed the skirt before swimming to shore, leading some beachgoers to misinterpret the scene.
The clarification identified Tenkley as both the pilot and the person rescued. She has not participated in other media interviews, according to the account of her conversation, while officials continued to document the incident and the aircraft’s recovery situation.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | The pilot was the only person aboard the Piper. |
| 2 | Landing gear and engine problems led to the emergency. |
| 3 | The aircraft landed in the Atlantic near Boca Raton at about 9:40 a.m. |
| 4 | A lifeguard reached Tenkley within about a minute. |
| 5 | No injuries were reported, and Tenkley was taken to a hospital as a precaution. |
Summary
The Boca Raton incident ended without reported injuries after Tenkley managed multiple aircraft failures and selected an open area of ocean for an emergency landing. Her maneuvering avoided buildings and people in the water, while nearby lifeguards and rescue crews reached her promptly. Beach video provided a record of the landing and rescue, and Tenkley later clarified inaccurate descriptions of who had been rescued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was flying the aircraft?
Faith Tenkley, 23, was the pilot and the only person aboard.
Why did the plane land in the ocean?
Tenkley reported landing gear problems and a right-engine failure. She feared a hard runway landing could ignite the recently refueled aircraft.
Where did the emergency landing occur?
The Piper landed in the Atlantic near 250 South Ocean Blvd. in Boca Raton, Florida, at about 9:40 a.m. local time.
Was anyone injured?
No injuries were reported. Tenkley was taken to a hospital as a precaution after being rescued.
