NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - A small plane made an emergency landing in North Lauderdale after experiencing fuel issues, officials said.
According to North Lauderdale Fire Rescue, the single-engine aircraft went down near 8127 Southgate Boulevard around 4:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon.
“Looks like a impromptu landing right along the canal[…] the plane’s intact,” a dispatcher said.
“That is [the] South Canal access road right off of Southgate Boulevard and 82nd Avenue,” said Ralph Rayburn as 7Skyforce hovered over the scene.
Two people on board suffered minor injuries but were checked out by paramedics and did not require transport to the hospital.
Witnesses who live nearby told 7News they heard rescue crews rush to the canal.
“I’m glad that they are safe, that’s the important thing,” said David Salcedo, who saw first responders helping. “They did a nice job landing right there on that little cement walkway.”
Matthew Torres said he briefly spoke with the pilot and instructor after it happened.
“They were about 1,000 feet above when the instructor noticed the fuel engines were, there was an issue with the fuel engines,” said Torres. “That’s when he took control of the controls.”
Torres went on to say the instructor quickly decided to find a spot for an emergency landing.
“He tried to troubleshoot it. When he couldn’t, he had to find somewhere to land so that’s when he U-turned it, saw this sidewalk and saw a good place to land,” said Torres.
Torres said before the plane came down, it slammed into a sign that was right next to where a woman was sitting. That woman managed to move out of the way.
“There was a woman that was sitting on that bench. She was being carted on the stretcher being sent to the ambulance,” said Torres. “She looked a little distraught but she looked OK.”
Margate Fire Rescue said that woman was transported to an area hospital.
With no serious injuries reported, witnesses were relieved to see things didn’t end badly.
“Kudos to that guy, man, I know that we talked a little bit so my heart goes out to you guys,” said Torres. “Keep your heads up.”
The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified of the incident.
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