Thursday afternoon a man fell out of a plane that had just taken off from Miami. After a three-day search police believe they have found the body of that passenger, Geraldo Nales. The body was found among mangroves this morning. Officials are waiting for the Medical Examiner's office to confirm that it really is that of the 42-year-old.
How does a person fall out of an airplane in the first place? Well, this was not a commercial flight. The plane was a private Piper PA 46, and there were just two people on board. The pilot has not been identified. When he radioed air traffic control he said the door to the plane was open.
PILOT: I have a door ajar and a passenger that fell down. I'm six miles from Tamiami [airport south of Miami].
AIR CONTROLLER: You said you've got a passenger that fell out of your plane?
PILOT: That's correct, sir. He opened the back door and he just fell out the plane.
Police say there's no reason so far to suspect foul play. It's mysterious -- it sounds like an accident. But how awful! At least it seems like the body has been found, though, so there is some closure.
Have you ever flown in a small, private plane? Did you feel safe?
Image via Lau Svensson/Flickr