A pilot has survived after a light aircraft crash. The incident occurred off the coast of Lee-on-the-Solent, a seaside district of Gosport in Hampshire, England. The crash reportedly took place just before 4:30 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 28, 2026, with the plane being seen ditching into the water and then tipping over onto its roof.
Emergency services and bystanders rush to the scene
According to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service, the scene of the light aircraft crash was attended to by crews from Hightown, Fareham and Cosham. Prior to their arrival, the pilot had been able to exit the aircraft independently and reach the beach safely.
Ellie Chapman, an eyewitness to the plane crash, described the incident to the Southern Daily Echo, saying:
“I was by the beach looking at the free books when I heard a loud crashing sound from the rocks. When I turned around, the plane was already in the water, with the tail briefly lifted before it dropped down, suggesting it had gone in nose first.”
“There was no noise from the aircraft beforehand, so the crash came without warning. I saw the pilot crawl out into the water, and people helped him onto the rocks.”
The aftermath of the light aircraft crash
The pilot was subsequently assessed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight ambulance service, and no other individuals were reported to have been injured in the incident.
Firefighters were then able to winch the plane from the sea, where it was secured by the local constabulary. According to the fire service, crews returned to their stations shortly after 7 p.m. on the same day.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been notified, and a full investigation into how the plane crash occurred is expected to take place.
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