Small Plane Crash in Weekapaug Bay

A pilot is safe after crash landing his plane in Westerly, Rhode Island, according to police.

The accident happened around 12:50 p.m. Saturday off Weekapaug Beach. Officials were contacted that an out of state plane crashed into the water.

The pilot, 62-year-old Alexander Piekarski of New York, was flying alone from Long Island, New York, to Taunton, Massachusetts.

A preliminary investigation indicates that Piekarski lost power and attempted to head toward Westerly Airport, but due to a loss in altitude, decided to make an emergency landing into the water so he wouldn't hit people on the beach.

The pilot was able to escape the plane before it sank. Lifeguards were able to help Piekarski back to the beach.

The pilot was taken to RI Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The plane will be inspected once it's removed from the water.

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