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NANAIMO - "After all I'm alive," says Brian Andrews as he's checking his float plane for damage. Just yesterday the veteran flyer made a rookie mistake when he tried to land his float plane onto Nanaimo Lakes' Second Lake.
He left his wheels up causing the plane to flip when it hit the water.
"I was under water for a while and it was tough to undo my seatbelt because of my clothing. It gets in the way. Once I noticed we weren't sinking I managed to relax and got out. My dog followed me out."
His dog Tika made it out safe and so did he. Luckily a few people were fishing nearby and rescued them.
"They were great and the fellas were very kind and they hauled my plane from the other side of the lake. I really appreciate it."
He has few scratches and bumps but says he is fine. His plane wasn't as lucky. The bird is his prized possession. It took him 10 years to put together. Him and a few of his friends will fish it out of the water and take it back to his home. He estimates it will take him 6 months to repair the plane.
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