Five people are safe after a small plane crash in the Sinepuxent Bay near the Salisbury/Ocean City Airport Sunday.
The Ocean City Fire Department and Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack received calls about a private place crash near the Salisbury/Ocean City Regional Airport into the bay around 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
According to a preliminary investigation, the pilot of the plane, Matthew Cortigiani, 25, of Utah, said he saw the cabin filled with smoke and attempted to shut off the single-engine plane.
State police report the pilot bounced on the runway and redirected the aircraft to the airport in attempt to land.
The aircraft was then crashed into the runway and then bounced again and crashed into the bay east of the end of the runway.
One of the five passengers was taken to TidalHealth in Salisbury for treatment.
Maryland Natural Resource Police and the United States Coast Guard assisted with rescue efforts.
The FAA is investigating the crash.
The cause remains under investigation.
Ocean City Airport abuts Sinepuxent Bay.
Salisbury/Ocean City Regional Airport is about 30 miles inland. No water except in drinking fountains.