Infrared camera images from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office show the private plane after landing. | St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Facebook
Published on February 27, 2025 at 12:02 pm
Free local news and info, in your inbox at 6 a.m. M-F. Sign up for the Jacksonville Today newsletter.
A private plane that lost power over Jacksonville landed on an unlit private field in Green Cove Springs with the help of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office helicopter.
In a Facebook post, the Sheriff’s Office shows how the air unit communicated with the pilot and used a spotlight to illuminate the darkened landing strip.
Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one.
Sheriff’s Office pilot Casey Kumar and Flight Officer Stephen Reece had just returned from a patrol flight when they got a call just after 7 p.m. Feb. 4, learning that the plane was in distress after losing power over the St. Johns River.
The pilot is heard saying their plane had lost altitude.
“We’re slowly maintaining altitude,” the unidentified pilot says over the radio. “We lost 200 feet in the last six minutes. Unable to climb, though.”
Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one.
Kumar and Reece spot the plane and begin communicating with its pilot.
The private plane was trying to land at Reynolds Airpark but could not see it, the Sheriff’s Office said. So Kumar fires up the helicopter’s spotlight to illuminate the field and hovers about 1,500 feet over it.
“Yep, I’ve got it on the runway,” the pilot says, but the Sheriff’s Office tells him he is overshooting the landing strip.
The plane’s pilot confirms that, saying he will turn around and land. He confirms when he touches down.
The pilot was grateful for the help.
“The helicopter that came and helped us, I really appreciate the help — thank you so much,” he says over the radio.
“Our pleasure — glad you guys are safe,” Kumar responds.
