A dramatic survival story unfolded off the coast of North Carolina when a pilot crash-landed his single-engine aircraft in the ocean and lived by clinging to a small air pocket inside the submerged plane.

The pilot, identified as Mark Finkelstein, was forced to make the emergency landing on August 2 after his plane suffered an engine failure. The aircraft flipped upon impact, leaving it upside down and mostly submerged beneath the waves.

Despite the perilous situation, Finkelstein managed to find a pocket of air within the cabin and held on until rescuers arrived. He was later pulled to safety with no life-threatening injuries reported.

Authorities praised Finkelstein’s composure and quick thinking, noting that his ability to stay calm under pressure likely saved his life. The incident underscores the risks small aircraft pilots face, as well as the importance of emergency preparedness.