"Beached" Plane Prepped For Move

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POMPANO BEACH (CBSMiami) - A day after the pilot of a small plane made an unexpected landing on the beach in Pompano Beach, airplane mechanics worked on it to get it ready for its big move.

First, they worked on draining the fuel. Next, they began dismantling its wings as pilot looked on.

"Can you talk to us about the landing, everyone who saw it on the beach said it was pretty spectacular," said Marybel Rodriguez.

"I'd rather not," he replied.

"How long have you been flying? Did you ever think that you'd be landing here on the beach," she asked only to be met by silence.

While the pilot, who did want his name used in the report, had nothing to say those who came out to see the plane did.

"I think he did an amazing job," said Stephanie Buquo, who brought her two sons to see the plane. "Luckily at this time of the year there's not too many people out here on the beach."

Officials said the pilot of a single engine Piper J-5 Cub aircraft experienced mechanical issues on a local sightseeing trip and landed the plane safely on the beach.

Caroline Donnelly watched the plane circle the beach.

"He kept getting lower and lower and you couldn't hear any engine at all," she said.

"Things happen in aviation, as you can see," said Christian McDaniel, an airplane mechanic and friend of the pilot who made the emergency landing.

McDaniel said the plane is not damaged and that the pilot's skillful landing is a result of his extensive training and years at the controls.

"He's a great pilot," said McDaniel. "Looking at the airplane landing on sand, if he wasn't a good pilot it'd be upside down and there'd probably be an ambulance dragging him off."

Once the mechanics finish their work, the plane will be towed to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport to be worked on.