Retired businessman Mike Glinternick - an experienced pilot - made a skilful landing and scrambled from the plane before it sank near Bracelet Bay.

The 62-year-old was taken ashore and transferred to Singleton Hospital.

He was treated for shock and bruising but was otherwise unharmed. There were no passengers on board.

The plane - a four-seater PA-28 Arrow - was flying at 1,500ft and had just taken off from Swansea Airport when it developed engine trouble. It had been heading for Exeter, where it was to undergo maintenance work.

Mr Glinternick radioed a mayday call to Swansea Airport shortly after take-off. he said the engine had stalled and could not be restarted, and warned he might have to land at sea.

Swansea Coastguard was alerted by the airport, and also by a member of the public who saw the aircraft land in the sea.

The Mumbles lifeboat was launched, but a nearby fishing vessel, the Kia-ora, was able to rescue Mr Glinternick just a few minutes before his plane sank.

"It happened about 400 yards away," said Swansea coastguard watch officer Ivor Davies.

"A member of the public phoned in the accident within seconds of it happening," said Ivor Davies, Swansea coastguard watch officer.

"By the time we got the call I could already see him standing on the aircraft. Then an angling vessel, the Kia-ora, pulled alongside and he got on.

"Moments later the plane sank, so he could not have timed it better.

"He was then taken to a waiting ambulance and transferred to Singleton Hospital."

Mr Davies said the rescue crew had gone to the scene at the outset because it was not then known that the pilot, believed to be from Swansea, was travelling alone.

Swansea Airport operations manager Robin Jackson said the pilot was a businessman living in Swansea who kept his plane at the airport. "I know the gentleman well and he is a good guy," he said.