Couple who faced fireball after crashing plane in Everglades speaks out

FLORIDA (WABC) -- A survival story straight out of the movies involves a Florida couple who were flying in a plane when it crashed in the Everglades.

Thanks to the husband's quick thinking, they are able to discuss their frightening ordeal.

Husband and wife Ken and Sonia McKenzie were flying off to see their daughter in Virginia when their single-engine plane experienced mechanical issues.

"I was shocked at being inside a fireball," Ken McKenzie told ABC News.

"As soon as we landed, there were flames," Sonia said. "And he reached back for me, and we clamored over the rocks."

Ken is a former pilot for the Canadian military and the former COO for Spirit Airlines. He now works for Airbus, and he knew just what to do.

Jolding his wife's hand every step of the way, they entered a canal, a location that posed its own challenges.

"We find ourselves in the canal, which was good, cause we were in a lot of pain," Ken said. "And then Sonia said, 'Do you think there's alligators in there?'"

Luckily for the couple, there were no alligators nearby.

Doctors said Ken was badly burned but will make a full recovery. His wife has a solo flying lesson scheduled for next week, and despite the crash, she says she still plans to attend.

Ken is just thankful that his wife, who had to celebrate her 53rd birthday in the hospital, is OK.

"The only thing that I keep reflecting upon is, what would have happened had I not got Sonia out?" he said. "That's the piece that I keep going over and over in my head."

It's a birthday this family will never forget.