FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — A skydiving instructor was preparing to land on Sunday when he spotted a badly damaged plane on the ground below.
"While preparing for landing, I looked over toward the pond and noticed the airplane," Kevin Valerio said.
The plane was upside down and damaged. Once Valerio was on the ground, he alerted fellow employees of Skydive Amelia Island, who called 911.
Valerio captured an image of the plane.
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According to the police report, the plane's pilot, Walter McFadden, 90, was having back problems.
He attempted to land at Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport but was unable to make it, airport officials said.
Valerio expressed surprise that McFadden made it out of the crash alive.
"He's a really lucky fellow he's lucky he survived that," Valerio said.
McFadden was taken UF Health after the crash. Airport officials said he's recovering.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.