A plane was forced to make an emergency landing in the ocean near one of Donald Trump's golf courses after its engine failed.
The plane, flying from Santa Monica to Long Beach, landed in the Pacific Ocean near Ocean Trail Drive in the Rancho Palos Verdes area of Los Angeles County on Sunday. That's near Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles, one of the clubs owned by the former president.
The pilot and his dog swam ashore and weren't injured. They were met by authorities, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The Context
Disasters have happened near Trump's assets in the past.
Earlier this month, there was a 4.8 magnitude earthquake in the New York City tri-state area, next to his National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake's epicenter was by Whitehouse Station in New Jersey, less than 7 miles from the former president's golf course. The federal agency reported that the earthquake had struck at 10:23 a.m. ET. There were no casualties or "major damage reports," according to New York officials.
Meanwhile, in November, there were multiple sightings of sharks close to the shore near Trump's hotel on a Hawaiian island, according to local reports.
What We Know
The crash was reported at around 5.20 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which spoke to CBS News.
It isn't yet known why the plane's engine failed. The plane, which Los Angeles County Fire Supervisor Bernard Peters told the Los Angeles Daily News was a single-engine Piper Cherokee Six, sank into the ocean.
Edward Wargo, a U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson, said there was one person onboard, along with their dog.
"Both were able to safely swim," he said.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department posted about the incident on X, formerly Twitter.
Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Air Rescue 5 on scene deploying #LASD SEB Tactical Medics regarding a small plane in the water off of Rancho Palos Verdes. Saving lives priority 1. pic.twitter.com/9QGgM77Qkl
— SEB (@SEBLASD) April 15, 2024
Views
Newsweek contacted a representative of Trump by email outside of usual business hours to comment on this story.
What's Next
Federal Aviation Administration investigators are expected to arrive at the scene where the plane landed on Monday, according to a report by ABC.
Update 4/11/24 at 8:15 a.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information and background.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Kate Plummer is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. Her focus is on U.S. politics and national affairs, and ... Read more
