Small Plane Makes Crash Landing On Ranchos Palos Verdes Beach

RANCHO PALOS VERDES (CBSLA.com) — A small plane Friday crash landed on a Rancho Palos Verdes beach.

The Piper plane -- which was displaying an advertising banner -- was reported down around 11:43 a.m. near 40 Seawall Road and the Trump National Golf Club, according to Los Angeles County Fire officials.

The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, escaped with minor injuries.

KCAL9's Chase Cain said the pilot was treated at the hospital and released.

"We saw the plane lose altitude, ditch the advertisement and kind of slowly coast towards the beach," said a swimmer named Hunter.,

"I talked to the pilot afterward and asked him what happened," Hunter said, "He told me he was losing power to the engine and he was trying to bring it back but he couldn't get the engine to start, so he had to ditch."

The plane landed right side up and flipped after it hit the water.

Two lifeguards on duty called 911.

"It was very surreal, like something you only see in the movies are on TV or on the news but when you see it, it's crazy," said Hunter.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.