The Federal Aviation Administration is taking over an investigation into a plane crash Sunday in Collier County.

Earlier Sunday a pilot and passenger were rescued from a small, private plane spotted in the water in the Everglades. Collier County Sheriff's Office units responded.

A CCSO spokesman said the agency received a call at 12:49 p.m. Sunday from someone reporting they saw a plane in the water about five miles west of Everglades City in the Ten Thousand Islands area.

The spokesman said the reporting party did not see the plane crash, just saw the craft in the water.

A Sheriff's Office marine unit responded and the pilot and a passenger were rescued. Their conditions are unknown at this time.

A Sheriff's Office aviation unit and fire and EMS units also responded.

Later Sunday the Sheriff's Office spokesman said the FAA was arriving at the crash site and taking over the investigation as primary agency.

Further requests for comment and information were directed to the FAA.

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