11 Rescued After Plane Crash Off Florida Coast

Eleven individuals were successfully rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Air Force after their aircraft crashed into the Atlantic Ocean approximately 80 kilometers off the coast of Melbourne, Florida. The incident involved a Beechcraft 300 King Air turboprop plane that experienced engine failure while traveling from Marsh Harbour Airport to Grand Bahama International Airport in the Bahamas. Following the crash, the pilot declared an emergency before communication was lost. The survivors spent roughly five hours drifting at sea in a life raft, sheltering under a tarp, before being hoisted to safety by an HH-60W Jolly Green helicopter crew. They were transported to Melbourne Orlando International Airport in stable condition for medical evaluation. Rescue personnel described the operation as miraculous, noting the significant physical and emotional distress endured by the victims during the ordeal. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority in the Bahamas is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash. This joint international rescue effort highlights the coordination between U.S. and Bahamian agencies in maritime emergency responses.