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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 2:17 p.m., Sunday, November 16, 2003

Pilot rescued after plane crashes into Pacific

Associated Press

A retired Coast Guard pilot whose single-engine plane crashed in the Pacific Ocean nearly 100 miles off Maui was rescued early this morning after more than three hours in the water, officials said.

William Swears, 43, was located 94 miles north of the island and airlifted to Maui Medical Center, where he was in stable condition, Coast Guard officials said.

Swears had reported engine trouble about 9 p.m. yesterday.

After receiving an EPRIB (emergency positioning indicating radio beacon) signal, a Coast Guard C-130 aircraft spotted the wreckage of the Canard Pusher in the water shortly after midnight. A pair of Hawaii Air National Guard F-15 fighter jets also reported seeing an oil slick.

Petty Officer Jennifer Johnson said there were no plans to recover any possible remaining pieces of the wreckage.

Swears, who retired less than a month ago at the rank of lieutenant commander, was rescued at 12:30 a.m. by the crew of a HH-65 helicopter, the same type of aircraft he operated when he was stationed at Barbers Point Air Station.

Johnson said the rescue crew and Swears "probably" knew each other, but could not immediately confirm if they did.