Pilot Lands Single-Engine Plane in Atlantic After Engine Failure

The emergency landing occurred as Tenkley was mid-transit on a 150-mile flight from Fort Myers toward the Bahamas to collect her parents. Witnesses described a controlled descent that bypassed buildings and sunbathers before the plane touched down in the surf. Beachgoers, including Maria Marks, watched the aircraft descend unexpectedly, initially mistaking the maneuver for a planned event.

Following the ditching, Tenkley swam to shore, where she was met by lifeguards and emergency responders. While social media speculation initially misidentified the pilot’s gender and the nature of the rescue, reporter Peter Busch confirmed that Tenkley had been wearing a skirt over her bikini, which she removed to navigate the water. Fellow pilots praised her technique, noting that the aircraft remained largely intact—a testament to her ability to maintain control of the plane until the final moment of impact.