Retired Air Force pilot survives dramatic plane crash

A retired military pilot is ready to return to the sky, even after a dramatic plane crash off Miami Beach.

A cell phone video captured Vietnam War veteran Brian Haggerty being brought back to shore moments after he crashed his plane in the water, reports CBS affiliate WFOR's Natalia Zea.

"We heard this huge crash, and we looked over and half the plane was already in the water," Carolyn Kent said.

Witnesses say the former U.S. Army aircraft, now serving as a banner plane, plunged into the ocean about 100 yards from the shore with Haggerty still inside.

Haggerty said he spent 21 years flying for the U.S. Air Force, and as his plane fell out of the sky, panicking never crossed his mind.

"I got a radio call off and then I thought, 'Okay, I'm going to be dead in 5 seconds,'" Haggerty said.

He said his engine was failing and the plane was going down, so he prepared himself for an ocean splash down, away from any innocent bystanders.

"It was apparent that I wasn't going to get it started again, so I looked clear to make sure that nobody was in front of me, boats or swimmers or anything," Haggerty said. "It was clear that I didn't want to hurt anybody, and I just made a radio call. 'Engine quit, I'm going in the water.'"

That's when he said his military training kicked in. Activating his life vest, then exiting the plane at a point clear of any wreckage. A group of jet skiers noticed him in the water and were able to bring him safely back to shore.

Thanks to his quick thinking, Haggerty survived and no one else was injured. He said he's a bit beat up but ready to get back to work.

"I'll probably try to get on schedule and tow a banner this week, although my wife told me I'm not," he said, smiling.

The NTSB is investigating what caused the aircraft to lose power. The small plane was built in 1951, but the pilot said it had been well maintained.