A single-propeller small plane made a dramatic landing Thursday morning on a slim stretch of beach belonging to South Carlsbad State Beach.

The plane was flying from Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego to John Wayne Airport in Orange County when it suddenly needed to make an emergency landing in the water.

The cause of the unexpected landing has been reported as engine problems.

The craft came to rest on a small and narrowing strip of beach as the tide moved in, rocking the back end of the plane in the waves.

Three people were on board the plane, which is used to train pilots, and none of them were hurt in the landing.