[imagesource: US Customs and Border Protection]

Last Tuesday, a “possible human tragedy” was narrowly avoided when a pilot was found standing on a sinking plane.

Luckily for the pilot, federal agents conducting a marine operation in the area arrived with impeccable timing to rescue him from going down with his plane.

The federal agents had no idea that they would be involved in an air rescue that day, but thanks to their training and knowledge, managed to save the pilot from any further danger.

The agents and deputies had spotted the pilot atop the plane submerged off Cedar Key, about 160 kilometres north of Tampa along Florida’s Gulf Coast, reported CNN:

“As agents and deputies approached the sinking plane, an individual was spotted climbing out and standing on the fuselage. Agents verified the pilot was the only occupant and were able to assist him on board an AMO (Air and Marine Operations) Coastal Interceptor Vessel,” according to the release.

The US Customs and Border Protection (CPB) provided some photos alongside the news release:

Image: US Customs and Border Protection

With that stance, he could easily be mistaken for a Nicolas Cage stunt double emerging from the murky waters as an action movie hero.

That’s one way to cope, I guess.

Here’s Michael Matthies, Deputy Director of Marine Operations:

“The situational awareness and quick actions of the Marine Interdiction Agents and Sheriff’s Deputies prevented a possible human tragedy,” said Matthies.

“We are thankful we have the proper resources and trained personnel to perform when incidents like this present themselves.”

The pilot was given medical attention and found to be unharmed.

[source:cnn]