2 Rescued After Plane Crashes in Ocean Off Jetty
A single-engine airplane crashed into the ocean about three miles off Newport Beach Friday when the pilot lost control while circling above a sailboat race, authorities said.
Pilot Robert Schmidt, 58, and passenger Geraldine Conser, 44, were able to crawl out of their Cessna 150 and were rescued by a private boater, Kenny Knight of Newport Beach, who witnessed the 1:30 p.m. crash off the Santa Ana River jetty.
Newport Beach Marine Safety Capt. Buddy Belshe said Schmidt was treated for minor injuries and released from Hoag Memorial Hospital. He said Conser, who was brought ashore on a stretcher with possible neck and back injuries, was being held overnight for observation.
Belshe said the two were “apparently watching a sailboat race and taking pictures when they somehow lost control of the plane.”
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