Cub Ditches During Lifeguard Competition

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A banner-towing Cub aircraft ditched into the ocean off Huntington Beach, California, reportedly due to a loss of power.
  • The incident occurred about 100 feet offshore near a Junior Guards Championship, leading to initial assistance from young competitors before qualified rescuers took over.
  • The pilot sustained minor injuries and was hospitalized as a precaution, while the aircraft was deemed a total write-off.
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There was plenty of handy help available when a banner-towing Cub ditched off Huntington Beach, California, on Friday. The J3C-65 registered to Seashore Advertising Corp. went in the drink about 100 feet offshore next to the California Surf Lifesaving Junior Guards Championship. The Cub reportedly lost power. It was between events so there were no competitors in the water but to their credit, they headed for the messed-up airplane and the pilot, who was sitting on top of the plane.

The kids were called back but there was plenty of other fully qualified help around to perform a thorough rescue. The pilot had minor injuries and was sent to a local hospital as a precaution. The Cub is a write-off. ARFF World posted this video of the ditching.

Credit: ARFF World YouTube channel

Russ Niles

Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVweb. He has been a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb 22 years ago. He and his wife Marni live in southern British Columbia where they also operate a small winery.
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