A small plane made an emergency landing on the shores of Mission Beach in San Diego on Tuesday afternoon, with no injuries reported, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

 

The pilot, Victor Schneider, was flying with his daughter a flight attendant when the aircraft’s engine suddenly failed.

“My main concern was not hitting anybody,” Schneider said after the incident.

 

He explained that he had only about 10 feet of firm sand to maneuver the landing and also had to contend with high tide.

“I had a complete engine failure,” he said. “I came over the beach, and there were very few people. I found a really good open spot to put it down.”

 

 

Both Schneider and his daughter were uninjured, and authorities confirmed that no beachgoers were hurt.

 

The aircraft, a 1953 Cessna 170, has belonged to Schneider for more than 23 years. The pilot, who has logged over 25,000 flight hours, said this was the first time he has ever experienced a mechanical issue with the plane.

 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to arrive to coordinate the removal of the aircraft from the beach and its return to Oceanside, where it had taken off.