YORK, Maine – No one was injured after a small amphibious plane launched off of a luxury boat anchored off Short Sands Beach Friday afternoon was forced to land in the water.
Police, York Beach fire officials and the York harbormaster were all called to the scene after the incident was reported about 3:15 p.m. Friday. The incident has been turned over to the Federal Aviation Commission for further investigation, police said.
According to beachgoer Ted Chadwick of Dracut, Massachusetts, the yacht and what appeared to be a large research vessel came into the cove at the same time. From the yacht, a large vessel with three decks, two jet skis and one small boat were put in the water. The plane was also part of the apparatus of the yacht, York Beach Fire Chief Dave Bridges was told.
“Then we see this small seaplane fly by and try to land” on the Concordville side of the cove. Chadwick said it came around three or four times, attempting to land, but was unsuccessful. It then flew out of sight, and was towed back in by one of the small boats a short time later.
The plane and later the jet skis were brought aboard the vessel, which had a flat deck and several antenna dishes mounted to the house.
Bridges said he received a call from someone on one of the jet skis, who told him the one-person plane ran out of fuel. Police said the plane appeared to have developed mechanical problems. The exact cause was unclear Friday evening.
According to police, harbormaster personnel made contact with the pilot and confirmed no one was trapped or injured.
“It was interesting,” said Chadwick. “How often would you see two big boats like that come and one take on an airplane.”