A small plane made an emergency landing Tuesday on Mission Beach in San Diego, according to multiple reports. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff when the aircraft’s engine failed, forcing pilot Victor Schneider to find a safe spot to land.
Schneider, a commercial airline pilot with over 25,000 hours of flying experience, had taken off from Oceanside Airport about 15 minutes earlier with his daughter. As he and his daughter flew near Bird Rock, the engine abruptly quit at approximately 800 feet above the coastline. Describing the situation, Schneider stated he sought a “safe” location amid challenging conditions, including high tide and limited visibility.
The pilot selected a stretch of sand near the waterline in Mission Beach, where he successfully glided to a stop. Witnesses reported that the area was sparsely populated, with only four people within a quarter-mile radius. Neither Schneider nor his daughter sustained injuries, and no beachgoers were harmed during the incident.
Schneider confirmed there were no attempts to restart the engine after it failed, noting, “I couldn’t get it back.” He emphasized his focus on avoiding harm to others, stating, “You want to put it down where it’s safe.” The 1953 Cessna 170, which Schneider has owned for over 23 years, is now slated for removal by the FAA from the shoreline.