June 25, 2018
A small engine plane was spotted illegally landing on a restricted U.S. Coast Guard beach in Cape May County Sunday evening, sending the neighboring training center into heightened security mode.
Officials say the plane landed on the south side of the training facility at 7:52 p.m. Several witnessees captured footage of the plane acting erratically, diving, turning over a residential area, and eventually landing, stopping nose down.
CAPE MAY PLANE: Ryan Stewart in West Wildwood says, for about 15 minutes, he saw the plane flying erratically, doing flips, dips and nose dives. https://t.co/GZWMN1eTxs pic.twitter.com/GhklDXSbEE
— Action News on 6abc (@6abc) June 25, 2018
NEW VIDEO: A family recorded video of a low flying plane over Wildwood Sunday evening. The father yelled for his girls to get out of the water. The plane later illegally landed on a secure Coast Guard beach in Cape May and the pilot fled the scene. https://t.co/tnUUlITOHn pic.twitter.com/CnV1QqusYk
— Action News on 6abc (@6abc) June 25, 2018
Authorities on the scene, which included the Coast Guard Fire Department, the Cape May County Police Department, the Cape May County Sherif's K-9 Unit, the Coast Guard Police Department and the Coast Guard Investigative Services, were told by witnesses that the pilot was seen fleeing the scene, running away shortly after landing.
It is still unknown if the pilot sustained any injuries during the landing. Officials are searching for the mystery pilot.
The plane remained on the restricted beach early Monday and the training center is on lockdown.
