Two pilots who spent almost 24 hours swimming for shore from the airplane they ditched have been released from the hospital. David McMahon and Sydnie Uemoto put down in the ocean between Oahu and Kona, on the Big Island, after unspecified technical problems with the plane. They issued a Mayday about 3:15 p.m. Thursday and prepared for the ditch by popping a door and putting the life vests within reach. Coast Guard crews found them on Friday afternoon, apparently none the worse for wear after their long swim.
“What a way to celebrate aloha Friday,” Coast Guard spokeswoman Petty Officer 2nd Class Tara Molle told local media. “We all had big smiles on our faces in the office when we heard the news.” The Coast Guard flew them to Kona Airport where they were met by their families. Rescue swimmer Kevin Cleary said, “I’ve never been able to be part of something like that. To be able to see the families reunited with their loved ones after thinking the worst, it was a special moment. It was pretty surreal.”
