Passenger 'falls out' of plane into ocean 2,000 feet above Miami

Rescue teams have searched an area of south east Miami after a pilot reported a passenger falling out of the aircraft and into the sea

A passenger allegedly fell out of this aircraft into the ocean near Miami (WSVN)

A passenger has fallen out of a plane and plunged into the ocean near Miami, according to a US pilot.

A recording on the website LiveATC.Net hears the unidentified pilot radio: “mayday, mayday, mayday.”

He tells the air traffic controller the passenger fell out of an open door.

“I have a door ajar and a passenger that fell down. I'm six miles (nine kilometers) from Tamiami,” the pilot says.

“You said you've got a passenger that fell out of your plane?” the air traffic controller asks. “That's correct, sir,” the pilot responds. “He opened the back door and he just fell out the plane.”

A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed a mayday call was received at 1.30pm on Thursday from the pilot, who was flying at approximately 2000ft above sea level. He was about eight miles south east of Tamiami Airport and landed safely.

Air and water units from the US Coast Guard and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue have been searching the area, but neither have been able to confirm if the pilot's call was legitimate.

How many passengers were aboard the aircraft and where the flight departed from are yet to be confirmed. Police have not indicated any evidence of foul play.

Miami-Dade Police Department spokesman Javier Baez said: "We are still gathering as many facts as we can".