Four rescued after helicopter lands into water
Just after 5:00 p.m. on December 29, 2022, a helicopter carrying a pilot and three passengers was on the approach to land at Peter O. Knight Airport following a tour. The pilot and the passengers reportedly heard a loud bang and the helicopter lost power. The pilot conducted an emergency landing into the water near the Davis Islands Yacht Club, with all occupants ending up in the water.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office assisted in the rescue. Good Samaritans, who pulled up passengers onto their vessels, included Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback, Blaine Gabbert.
The Tampa Police Department is coordinating with the FAA and NTSB regarding the recovery of the helicopter.