Plane used to take aerial photos of Irma damage crashes in Keys

Single-engine plane crashes near Seven Mile Bridge

MARATHON, Fla. – A small plane being used to take aerial photographs of damage caused by Hurricane Irma crashed Saturday in the Florida Keys.

The single-engine plane crashed in the water about four miles north of the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Capt. David A. Dipre said the plane was submerged when rescuers arrived.

The pilot and the passenger were able to escape the plane and held on to two commercial trap buoys to stay afloat in the water, Dipre said. They were pulled from the water in good condition.

Dipre said the plane was being used to take aerial pictures of the storm damage.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the cause of the crash.