11 Survivors Rescued After Plane Ditches Off Florida Coast

Eleven people survived a harrowing plane crash and subsequent five-hour ordeal adrift on a life raft off the coast of Florida. The Beechcraft 300 King Air turboprop experienced engine failure while traveling from Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, to Freeport, forcing the pilot to ditch the aircraft approximately 50 miles off Vero Beach. The pilot successfully evacuated all ten passengers onto a yellow life raft before the plane sank. An emergency beacon alerted the U.S. Coast Guard, leading to a coordinated rescue effort involving the U.S. Air Force Reserve. A HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter crew, already airborne for training, was redirected to the scene. They dropped survival supplies and hoisted the survivors from rough seas just minutes before needing to refuel. All eleven individuals were transported to Melbourne Orlando International Airport and are reported to be in stable condition. Military officials described the survival of all occupants as miraculous, noting the severe physical and emotional distress faced by the group during their wait. The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the cause of the engine failure and subsequent crash.