Plane crashes near St. Pete Pier, four rescued
October 8, 2024 - A six-passenger Cherokee airplane evacuating ahead of the storm crashed into the water 300 yards east of the St. Pete Pier shortly after taking off from Albert Whitted Airport due to engine failure around 10:50 a.m. Tuesday. Four men, aged 25-40, and a small dog were rescued by a private vessel and St. Pete police. Three passengers were transported to Bayfront Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while one declined treatment.