MELBOURNE, Fla. — Eleven people were rescued after an aircraft crashed off Florida's east coast on Tuesday morning, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard said the aircraft went down about 80 miles off Melbourne.
At about 11 a.m, the Coast Guard said an emergency locator transmitted from a twin-engine turboprop airplane notified watchstanders that the people were in distress.
A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater C-27 aircrew was launched to search, along with a Patrick Space Force Base HC-130J Combat King II aircrew who were already airborne conducting a training mission, when the aircraft and raft were spotted.
According to the maritime security agency, U.S. Air Force 920th Air Rescue Wing HH-60W Jolly Green helicopter crew hoisted the 11 Bahamians from a life raft. Officials said they were flown to Melbourne Orlando International Airport in stable condition.
#Update We previously reported there was 10 people on the airplane, that is now updated to 11. As we receive more information we will continue to update this thread. #SAR.
— U.S. Coast Guard Southeast (@USCGSoutheast) May 12, 2026
The aircraft, which reportedly left Marsh Harbor and was headed for Freeport, crashed due to engine failure, the Coast Guard said. Bahamian authorities will be investigating the cause of the incident.
"The outstanding support from Patrick Space Force Base and the seamless coordination among all responding agencies directly contributed to the successful rescue of 11 survivors from the downed aircraft," Master Chief Petty Officer Omar Colon, a command duty officer, Southeast Coast Guard District, said in a statement. "Their rapid response, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to saving lives were instrumental in bringing everyone home safely."
