Edgewater, Maryland - A small plane experiencing engine trouble had a major accident and crash-landed in an icy creek, forcing nearby kayakers to attempt a daring miracle rescue.

The plane's pilot, Steve Couchman (71), had taken off from Lee Airport in Edgewater, Maryland early Monday morning, according to The Baltimore Sun.

At some point during the trip, his Piper Cherokee plane's engine began to sputter before sending him crashing into the cold waters of Beards Creek below.

The plane started to sink, forcing Couchman to climb out of the cockpit and onto the wing of the plane, trying to seek help.

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Fortunately, two civilians and an on-duty police officer spotted him, and used three kayaks to make their way across the icy waters.

By the time the kayakers made it to Couchman, he was "up to about his shoulders" in the water, but he was able to hang on to the edge of a kayak until a rescue team arrived.

According to a press release from state police, officers from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Police arrived and had to cut the pilot out of the ice before they were able to save him.

"Miraculously, and heroically, the two kayakers were the ones who were able to get to the pilot very quickly, and pull him up onto the kayak enough out of the water before DNR could get there and pull them to shore," explained Anne Arundel County fire Lt. Jennifer Macallair.

The pilot of the plane was rushed to Anne Arundel Medical Center, where he is expected to make a full recovery.