RYE, N.H. -- A small plane crashed into the water near Straws Point in Rye at about 5:20 p.m. Friday, and emergency crews rescued the only person on board.

Rye and Portsmouth fire officials, along with the Coast Guard, responded to the scene of the crash, about 100 yards off Jennes Beach.

Rye police said the pilot was the only person on board, and he was rescued by a passing boat. The pilot was identified as Eric Goethel, 28, of Hampton.

Officials said it appears that Goethel left North Hampton Airfield for an evening ride. While flying north along the Atlantic coastline of Rye, Goethel's airplane began to lose power. He lost altitude, skipped across the water and landed nose first. Goethel was not injured.

Recovery teams pulled the plane into Rye Harbor. The plane will be removed to the North Hampton Airfield. Inspectors will arrive at the scene Saturday to try to determine what caused the single-engine plane to lose power.