PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. – The pilot of a pontoon plane that flipped over after landing on the St. Johns River north of Palatka was rescued by a nearby boater, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 63-year-old Allen Sasser was piloting an experimental Searey aircraft, which is designed for water landings, about 11:20 a.m. Friday when he attempted to land on the St. Johns River near his East Palatka home.
During the landing, troopers said, the plane crashed and rolled.
After he was helped by a boater, Sasser was taken to the Crystal Cove Marina, where he was checked out by a Putnam County Fire Rescue crew and refused treatment, troopers said.
The crash report said he suffered minor injuries.
Authorities said the upside-down plane was removed from the river to be taken to the pilot's home.
The Federal Aviation Administration was called to investigate.