MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Dramatic footage shows aircraft hitting the water and flipping over at Hampton Beach as stunned beachgoers look on

'It just kept coming lower. Then it nosedived and flipped over,' a beachgoer said about witnessing the collision of the Piper PA-18 airplane

HAMPTON BEACH, NEW HAMSHIRE: Footage of an aircraft was captured while it crashed into the sea and overturned at Hampton Beach as beachgoers watched in horror. As seen in the videos released online, a Piper PA-18 descended gradually before landing in the water about 30 yards from where the visitors sat seeking relief from the scorching sun on Saturday, July 29 afternoon. 

The small aircraft flipped due to the impact with its tail over the nose, rocking back and forth numerous times. Moreover, the banner attached to it was ripped off during the quick drop, landing on some beachgoers nearby, who thankfully remained unharmed. Fortunately, the pilot, who was the only person present in the vessel, made a swift exit, swimming to safety without suffering any injuries, as reported by the Daily Mail.

Not surprisingly, the beachgoers in New Hampshire were astounded by what they saw shortly after noon. At the moment, Liane McNamara was filming her brother-in-law boogie-boarding when she spotted the aircraft. "Wow, that's really low," she recalled thinking about the plane, as narrated to the New Hampshire Union Leader. Another visitor, Gera Ocuette Jr, said, "It just kept coming lower. Then it nosedived and flipped over," to WCVB and claimed to have seen the propeller halt. 

'It was very surreal'

According to the numerous videos captured on smartphones during the crash, the cockpit appeared to have been submerged for a considerable amount of time but witnesses claimed to have seen the pilot climbing out of the aircraft and swimming toward the beach. "He walked out in his clothes and socks and shoes, and he was shaken up though," a visitor, Laurie Lemoine, stated. "Some people were like, 'Is this a joke? Is it a stunt?' It was very surreal," McNamara expressed, as per Daily Mail. The unidentified pilot was evaluated by Hampton police and other emergency personnel at the scene and was found to have not sustained any injuries.

The aircraft was later pulled out of the water using a heavy rope by a group of beachgoers and lifeguards, moving the plane along the shore and across the sand. The US Coast Guard and the New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol Unit came to the beach, according to Hampton police, who also said that they and firefighters went to the location of the accident. Currently, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are looking into the incident, with the pilot reportedly aiding the inquiry.

'Someone needs to tell that guy he can’t park there'

The footage of the plane crashing into the sea went viral on Twitter, with individuals commenting on the videos with their views. A user wrote, "Some one needs to tell that guy he can’t park there," while another stated, "The reaction speed is priceless... They were all like... "We're on a holiday, no need to rush"... WTF." "The two people just sitting in their chairs acting like it’s just another day at the beach," pointed out one, with another, explaining, "Why I don’t like single engine planes." "The lack of "WTF just happened" actions by the beach goers there is concerning... lady didn't even bother to get out her beach chair. Guess a good spot is a good spot," wrote one slamming the visitors present at the scene for not taking any action.