SANFORD, Fla. -- A plane crash-landed in the middle of Central Florida's most alligator-infested lake Thursday. If it hadn't been for a boater, who knows what would have happened to the pilot.

---

SLIDESHOW: Images From Scene Show Submerged Plane

---

The plane crashed into Seminole County's Lake Jesup, a lake most people are afraid to swim in. One of the theories crash investigators are exploring is that a gator may have actually caused the crash.

Rescue crews say the pilot was out on the water trying to take off in an experimental sea plane, but he didn't get far before hitting something and flipping upside down into the water.

Bill Furr's experimental sea plane was left submerged upside down just below the surface of Lake Jesup. Friends of the 55-year-old pilot said he was out with another plane when the crash happened.

"Unknown how it crashed, both taking off, one of them hit something and flipped over," said Lt. Alisa Keyes, Seminole County Fire Rescue.

Rescue crews said Furr broke a leg or an ankle and also hit his head. They said it was a friend with a boat who pulled him to safety. While the water is only about six feet deep, long-time boaters on Lake Jesup say there are plenty of dangers, including thousands of alligators.

"They claim 77 gators for every mile of shore line," said boater Joe Hall.

While some say it's unlikely the pilot of the plane was in serious danger of being attacked, investigators still want to know if an alligator could've actually caused the crash.

"This lake is filled with alligators, so that is a possibility what he did hit was an alligator," said Lt. Alisa Keyes, Seminole County Fire-Rescue Department.

The FAA is still investigating, but has not weighed in on what might have caused the crash.

Friends of Furr said he's out on the lake all the time with his plane. He is still recovering at Orlando Regional Medical Center, but the hospital says he's in stable condition and should be okay.