'Craziest experience of my life:' Pilot survives crash in waters off Florida Keys

Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY
Updated ·2 min read
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An Orlando man survived a plane crash 3 miles off the Florida Keys, calling it "the craziest experience of my life."

Officials at Key West International Airport notified area emergency departments that a plane was experiencing problems and would soon be in the water on Sunday morning, said Adam Lindhardt, a spokesman for the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

The Miami Herald reported that the pilot radioed air traffic control to say that his aircraft was experiencing engine issues and he was going to attempt a water landing.

Deputy Trevor Pike of the sheriff's marine patrol water unit arrived to the site of the crash in the Gulf of Mexico and rescued the pilot, identified as 40-year-old Adam Joseph Barney from Orlando, Florida.

'Thanks, man'

Footage from Pike's body camera captured the moment that he rescued Barney, showing the pilot swimming in open water with a flotation device and confirming that he was the only one in the plane.

Barney had enough energy to climb into the back of the boat with Pike's help. As soon as he was safely aboard, he shook Pike's hand with a smile.

"Whew! Thanks man, I appreciate it," Barney told Pike.

He had been in the water for more than an hour at that point.

"Holy (expletive)," Pike responds.

"Dude, tell me about it," Barney says back.

Deputy Trevor Pike rescued pilot Adam Joseph Barney after his plane crashed in the water off the Florida Keys on Sunday, August 14, 2023.
Deputy Trevor Pike rescued pilot Adam Joseph Barney after his plane crashed in the water off the Florida Keys on Sunday, August 14, 2023.

'The craziest experience'

According to their conversation, Barney was flying from Orlando to Key West to pick up a friend. The plane had approximately 50 gallons of fuel on board when the engine stopped. The whole thing happened fast, Barney said.

"That definitely lists on the craziest experience of my life," Barney said.

He started swimming to shore with his floating device. "I'll eventually make it or drown, one or the other," he figured.

Barney, who did not have life-threatening injuries, was taken to paramedics who were waiting at a nearby resort.

U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Eric Rodriguez said the Aero Commander 500 aircraft that Barney was flying sank.

Barney has a private pilot license that was issued in 2019, according to the FAA.

Aviation authorities will be investigating the crash.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pilot survives 'craziest' plane crash in waters off Florida Keys