2 rescued from wreckage after small plane crashes in the Florida Everglades

Two people were rescued from the wreckage of a small plane that crashed in the Florida Everglades in Miami-Dade on Tuesday afternoon.

According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials, the plane crashed around 2:45 p.m. near Shark Valley with two people on board.

Chopper6 flew over the area where the plane was seen flipped upside down with both people standing on top of the wreckage.

The pilot said he and his student were on the plane and had taken off from the Pilot Training Center at Miami Executive Airport, which is about 20 miles east of the crash site.

He said they were up in the air for about an hour then had an engine failure and went down, ending up upside down on the ground.

He credited the safety belts and safety harness for protecting them and saving their lives.

“We simulate emergency situations for our students,” the pilot told NBC6. “The incident that occurred today is a typical scenario in Florida. I have conducted similar simulations numerous times, and so has my student. I am pleased that we were adequately prepared and could execute all procedures within a limited timeframe under pressure.”

Air rescue had to conduct a hoist operation for the pilot and passenger because the area is remote and difficult to access.

Both were safely removed from the plane and were taken back to Miami Executive Airport.

The pilot said he and his passenger were okay, and that he only suffered a small cut on his leg.