Local man rescued when plane crashes into ocean off Florida coast

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A Blowing Rock man was rescued after his small plane crashed into the ocean on Wednesday.

Dick Goosman, who kept his plane at the Hickory Regional Airport, was found clinging to the wing in rough surf near Daytona Beach, Florida.

Officials said he ran out of fuel before reaching the airport in Florida.

Goosman has a home in Blowing Rock and for years owned a motel in the downtown area.

Tracy Brown, the executive director of the Blowing Rock Tourism Authority, showed Channel 9 video of himself flying with Goosman to take photos of the fall colors.

"What I understand is, he ran out of fuel and had to make a decision on where to go down, and as far as I can tell, no one was hurt, thankfully, except for himself,” Brown said.

Near Daytona Beach, there is a small amount of fuel that was drained from the plane before the wings were disassembled.

Goosman was not seriously hurt in the crash and was the only one inside when he made the emergency landing in the surf.

"He's a great pilot, loves to fly and owned several airplanes over his lifetime,” Brown said. “We wish him the best.  Everyone here loves the Goosmans. We just hope he's OK."

Chopper video out of Florida appears to show that a portion of the wing was damaged.

Rescuers said Goosman was alert and talking when lifeguards found him.

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