FAA Takes Over Investigation After Small Plane Found in Everglades Waters Near Collier County

A federal investigation is now underway after a small private aircraft was discovered in the water near the Ten Thousand Islands area west of Everglades City, drawing a rapid response from local authorities and raising questions about what led to the incident.

According to reports, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office received a call Sunday afternoon from someone who spotted a plane sitting in the water roughly five miles west of Everglades City. Responders arrived to find the aircraft already down, though witnesses did not report seeing the moment of impact. Marine units quickly reached the scene and were able to rescue both the pilot and a passenger, who were taken to safety as emergency crews secured the area.

Authorities say additional fire and EMS personnel were also dispatched, along with aviation support, highlighting the complexity of rescues in the remote and environmentally sensitive waters that surround the Everglades. The region’s challenging terrain and limited road access often require coordinated air and marine operations when emergencies occur.

Soon after the initial response, control of the investigation shifted to the Federal Aviation Administration, which now serves as the lead agency tasked with determining what caused the aircraft to end up in the water. Local officials have redirected inquiries to federal investigators as they begin evaluating the situation, including weather conditions, flight path details, and potential mechanical factors.

At this stage, few details have been released about the aircraft itself, including where it originated or its intended destination. The condition of the pilot and passenger has not been publicly confirmed, though the fact that both were rescued alive points to a relatively quick response once the aircraft was discovered.

Incidents involving small private planes are not uncommon in Southwest Florida, where recreational flying and short regional flights are a regular part of transportation in and around coastal communities. The vast wetlands, islands, and waterways that make the region so unique also present unique risks, particularly when aircraft experience unexpected issues over remote areas.

The Ten Thousand Islands region, known for its maze-like waterways and protected ecosystems, can complicate recovery efforts and investigations. Federal authorities will likely examine both environmental factors and pilot-related variables as part of the review process, though investigations of this nature often take weeks or months before a final report is released.

For Collier County residents, the event serves as another reminder of the level of coordination required between local and federal agencies when emergencies unfold in remote areas. While aviation incidents remain relatively rare, the region’s blend of heavy tourism, recreational travel, and active air traffic keeps safety planning front and center for first responders.

As the FAA continues its work, officials are expected to provide additional updates once preliminary findings become available. Until then, the exact cause remains unknown, and investigators will focus on piecing together the sequence of events that brought the plane down in the Everglades waters.