Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Young Pilot Safely Lands Small Plane Near Florida Beach
A 23-year-old pilot named Faith Tenkley had trouble with the engine of her small airplane.
She was flying from Fort Myers toward the Bahamas.
The plane had to come down near a busy beach in Boca Raton, Florida.
Faith carefully guided it into the ocean instead of toward buildings or people.
The airplane landed in one piece, according to a pilot who saw it.
Faith then swam to shore.
Lifeguards and emergency workers helped her, and she was not hurt.
Some people online misunderstood who the pilot was, but Faith later clarified what happened.
Twenty-three-year-old Faith Tenkley made an emergency landing in the Atlantic Ocean near Boca Raton, Florida.
The single-engine Piper PA-30 reportedly developed engine trouble during a flight from Fort Myers toward the Bahamas.
Tenkley gradually descended, avoiding buildings and beachgoers before landing the aircraft in the water.
She swam to shore and was examined by emergency crews, who reported no injuries.
Online confusion about a male pilot and a female rescuer was corrected after Tenkley spoke about the incident.
- Who
- Twenty-three-year-old pilot Faith Tenkley; beachgoers, lifeguards, and emergency responders also attended the scene.
- What
- Tenkley made an emergency water landing after her single-engine plane experienced engine trouble.
- When
- Saturday; the articles do not provide a specific date.
- Where
- The Atlantic Ocean near Boca Raton, Florida, off a busy beach.
- Why
- The plane reportedly developed engine trouble, forcing Tenkley to land while avoiding buildings and beachgoers.
Initial Online Interpretation
Pilot’s Clarification
Who was in the plane?
Initial Online Interpretation
Some people online reportedly believed the pilot was a man and that a female surfer rescued him.
Pilot’s Clarification
Faith Tenkley said she was the female pilot; her skirt was removed before she swam to shore, and her bikini led some beachgoers to mistake her for a rescuer.
- Pilot
- Faith Tenkley, 23
- Aircraft
- Single-engine Piper PA-30
- Location
- Atlantic Ocean near Boca Raton, Florida
- Planned route
- From Fort Myers to pick up her parents in the Bahamas
- Outcome
- Tenkley swam to shore and suffered no reported injuries
- Witness account
- Beachgoer Maria Marks said people suddenly realized the plane was descending toward the water
- Public clarification
- Tenkley disputed online claims that the pilot was male and a woman on the beach rescued him