All-nighter treading water saves pilot in Lake Huron crash

Updated 4:21 p.m. ET

HARBOR BEACH, Mich. - A New York pilot whose small plane crashed in Lake Huron says he swam and treaded water for more than 17 hours until people on a boat saw him waving a sock off Michigan's eastern coast.

The 42-year-old Trapp says he shed his pants after the plane crash Tuesday and was wearing just socks, underwear and a T-shirt as he stayed afloat in Lake Huron without a life jacket.

Trapp was rescued around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday and is in good condition at a Michigan hospital. Authorities say he was picked up by a fishing boat around more than 17 hours after the Federal Aviation Administration lost contact with him Tuesday.

The Gouverneur, N.Y., man says he's not physically fit at 5 feet 10 inches and 200 pounds. But he says he fought to survive because "there's a lot of people that depend on me."

Trapp believes the plane's carburetor iced up, reports CBS affiliate WWNY.

He called on his radio for help and took numerous steps to fix the problem.

"Just before I hit the water, my engine came back full strength. But it was too late," he said. "I pulled up on the yoke and made the back wheel hit first. I was hoping it would stay upright, but no. As soon that front wheel hit, I went head over heals, the windshield blew in my face, the water came in."

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One of the steps Trapp took before crashing was opening the plane's driver's side door. "Once the commotion stopped, I was under water. I reached in and undid my seat belt and swam out," he said.

Trapp said he grabbed onto the back of the plane, but after 20 seconds, the aircraft sank. He was alone and at least 16 miles from shore.

"It's amazing what goes on in your mind when you're laying in water...and look up at the stars and watch the shooting stars and watch the meteorites go 'round and gives you time to realize what's important in life," he said.

Trapp says several boats didn't see him before he was finally rescued.

Harbor Beach charter boat captain Janice Deaton told WWJ Newsradio 950 in Detroit that she'd been searching the waters when she learned Trapp had been found. She said the water temperature was around 68 degrees.

"It would have drew his temperature down, so I'm sure he's suffering from hypothermia. But, he was very responsive so they're really happy with the condition he's in for what he went through," she said.

Trapp was transported to Harbor Beach, Mich., a lakeshore town 125 miles northeast of Detroit, and taken to a hospital.

Trapp was alone in his Cessna 150F, according to his wife, who said this was his first long trip in the plane. They'll be driving back home, she said.