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Registered: ‎11-13-2013

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/11/14/3753180/pilots-mayday-call-spurs-miami.html

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, police and the U.S. Coast Guard are investigating reports Thursday afternoon that a person fell out of a small plane flying about seven miles southeast of Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot of a Piper PA 46 told air traffic controllers that a passenger fell from the aircraft at about 1:30 p.m. The pilot flew the plane to the airport and landed safely, at which point the FAA contacted the coast guard and fire rescue, according to agency spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen.

“The pilot’s claim over the radio was “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! His door was ajar,” said Petty Officer Mark Barney of the Coast Guard.

The pilot said he was flying at 1,800 feet when the passenger fell from the plane, according to fire rescue Spokesman Arnold Piedrahita, Jr.

Rescue crews are now in the air and on the water searching for the fallen passenger.

Details remain preliminary.