Pilot Rescued After Plane Crashes Into Ocean Off Oak Island

A routine flight turned into a dramatic emergency off the coast of North Carolina on Saturday evening, when a small, single-engine plane crash-landed in the Atlantic just yards from the Oak Island shoreline.

The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. near the Oak Island Pier on Ocean Drive. The aircraft, identified as a Jabiru J230-D with tail number N784J, was forced to make an emergency water landing under still-unconfirmed circumstances.

Remarkably, the pilot—who was flying alone—survived the crash and was swiftly rescued, thanks to a stroke of luck and fast-acting local responders.

A Rescue Already in Motion

At the time of the crash, Oak Island’s Beach Safety Unit was already patrolling the area, having responded moments earlier to an unrelated water rescue. Lifeguards and rescue personnel were close enough to launch watercraft immediately and reach the downed plane before it sank.

A video shared on social media captured the moment the plane splashed into the surf, drawing gasps from beachgoers witnessing the unexpected landing unfold just offshore.

Once reached, the pilot—wearing a lifejacket—was found clinging to the mostly-submerged fuselage alongside a lifeguard. He was safely brought to shore and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigation Underway

The aircraft was recovered and towed out of the water Saturday night with the help of multiple agencies, including the Southport Fire Department, Caswell Beach Police Department, Brunswick County EMS, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation to determine what caused the emergency landing.

For now, officials and residents alike are relieved that what could have been a deadly crash ended with a successful rescue and a story of quick response.