A pilot named Mike MacDonald had a harrowing experience when he had to ditch his small plane in the ocean off the Baja Peninsula while flying with a marine biologist to spot wildlife. The engine suddenly quit three hours into their four-hour tour, leaving MacDonald with no choice but to ditch the plane into severe swells far from shore. The impact was sudden and scary, but both MacDonald and his colleague managed to escape with only cuts and bruises. They floated in the ocean for over two hours before being rescued by a diving charter boat and then handed over to marine rescue for treatment of their minor injuries.
The pair used a marine radio that had floated free from the wreckage to guide the first vessel, a diving charter boat, to their location. After that, marine rescue arrived and took them to La Paz for treatment of their minor injuries. MacDonald credited his training and sense of duty towards his colleague for helping him remain calm during the emergency situation. Even though he lost his passport in the wreckage, MacDonald will return home once he receives his new document after meeting with crash investigators. Despite the terrifying experience, MacDonald and his colleague were fortunate to escape with minor injuries and are grateful for the swift rescue that saved their lives.
MacDonald described the impact of the plane hitting the water as feeling like a sea monster grabbing them and pulling them in, creating a bizarre sensation. They quickly unbuckled their seatbelts, rolled out of the plane, and inflated their life vests, with MacDonald having to manually inflate his due to some difficulty. Despite the challenging situation, both MacDonald and his colleague managed to stay calm and focused on ensuring each other’s safety until help arrived. The tracking app they used for their tour registered the impact, prompting rescue personnel to be dispatched to their location.
MacDonald reflected on the experience, expressing gratitude for his training and the sense of responsibility he felt towards ensuring his colleague’s safety. He joked about being a bagpiper, which helped him blow up his life vest manually. The pair spent over two hours floating in the ocean before rescue arrived, guided by the marine radio that had floated free from the wreckage. Once rescued, they were taken to La Paz for treatment of their minor injuries. Despite losing his passport in the wreckage, MacDonald remains thankful for the support they received and looks forward to returning home once he has his new document.
Overall, the story of MacDonald’s plane crash and subsequent rescue off the Baja Peninsula is a testament to his piloting skills, quick thinking, and dedication to ensuring the safety of his colleague. The pair’s calmness and resourcefulness in the face of a life-threatening situation ultimately led to their safe rescue and treatment for minor injuries. MacDonald’s willingness to share his experience highlights the importance of proper training and preparedness for emergencies, as well as the value of teamwork and mutual support in challenging circumstances. The swift response of rescue personnel and the coordination of efforts to locate and assist the stranded individuals underscore the importance of effective communication and collaboration in emergency situations.
