A single-engine private aircraft ditched into the water close to the Oak Island Pier in North Carolina during an emergency landing on August 2, 2025.
The Jabiru J230-D aircraft, with registration N784J, is believed to have been returning to Oak Island-Cape Fear Regional Jetport (KSUT) in North Carolina, where it departed from, when it was forced to perform an emergency landing.
🚨#BREAKING: Officials have confirmed that everyone onboard a small plane that crashed into the ocean near Oak Island NC has been rescued.
— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) August 3, 2025
The appears to slowly land directly into the ocean.
What happened here?! pic.twitter.com/4NldBcTpKx
Oak Island Pier is a popular local destination especially during the summer, leading several people to witness the incident unfold. Many bystanders were able to take video footage as the plane ditched into the water.
In one video, the three year-old plane can be seen trying to land, and then causing a splash when making contact with the water. Beach visitors and bystanders can be heard gasping in surprise when the plane crashed into the water.
The pilot, who was the sole passenger of the plane, was eventually rescued, and suffered only minor injuries. The plane was later towed out of the water.
An investigation has been launched by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which will look to answer why the aircraft needed to return to the jetport.