11 Survive Plane Crash Off Florida Coast; Air Force Rescue Mission Successful
VERO BEACH, FL—On Tuesday, a Beechcraft 300 King Air plane ditched approximately 50 miles off the coast after suffering engine failure, leaving 11 passengers floating in a life raft for five hours.
The aircraft was traveling from Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco Island to Grand Bahama International Airport when the incident occurred. Three of the passengers sustained minor injuries, while the remaining eight were unharmed.
The U.S. Coast Guard was alerted by the plane's emergency beacon, while the Air Force Reserve's 920th Rescue Wing, already airborne on a training mission, was redirected to assist. Search and rescue crews located the survivors and dropped a survival kit containing extra rafts, food, and water to facilitate their recovery.
Air Force Reserve Maj. Elizabeth Piowaty stated that the recovery operation faced challenges with 3- to 5-foot swells but was concluded just before the helicopter needed to refuel. All survivors were airlifted to Melbourne Orlando International Airport and were reported to be in stable condition.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has announced plans to investigate the incident. Authorities said there is currently no sign of the downed aircraft.