HONOLULU – The pilot of a small plane ditched into the sea after running out of fuel 250 miles off Hawaii, but he was safely rescued after officials guided the stricken craft to the area of a cruise ship.
Officials say the pilot contacted the Hawaii National Guard on Sunday afternoon and reported he would be ditching in the Pacific Ocean because of a lack of fuel.
The Coast Guard says it sent an airplane and helicopter and then guided the pilot, who was flying solo in a Cirrus SR-22, to the area of the ship.
With the fuel running out, the pilot was able to parachute and reach a life raft.
Several minutes later, the cruise ship Veendam plucked the pilot from the sea, which had 12-foot-high waves.
The Coast Guard said in a release that the pilot, who wasn't further identified, was in good condition.
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