Plane Goes Down In Everglades Swamp

A Pitts S-2 (file photo, right) crashed into the Everglades swamp Wednesday, but the pilot and his passenger were able to escape and swim to safety, Palm Beach County (FL) deputies said. The cause of the 3:20 p.m. crash in the federal wildlife area west of Palm Beach County's populated area was not immediately known. Flying the 1991 Pitts was Dave Swartz, 56, of Plantation (FL). His passenger was Eric Simons, 31, of Delray Beach (FL). Initial reports indicate the aircraft departed the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport and flew over a portion of the Northeastern Everglades to practice aerobatic maneuvers. Sometime later, the pilot reported the need to make an emergency landing in a dike near a local highway. The plane went into the water