A small airplane traveling from Marsh Harbor, Bahamas crashed approximately 80 miles off the coast of Melbourne, Florida on Tuesday.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s Southeast Division reported that a C-27 aircraft was launched to search for the downed plane after it reportedly crashed about 80 miles offshore. All 11 individuals were located on a life raft and subsequently rescued by Coast Guard personnel. Survivors were transported to Melbourne Orlando International Airport, where they remain in stable condition under emergency medical evaluation. The Coast Guard stated that the aircraft’s engines failed, with Bahamian authorities investigating the incident.

Weather conditions at the crash site featured 17 mph wind speeds, a high chance of showers and thunderstorms, and an 80% probability of precipitation according to the National Weather Service.

A Coast Guard command duty officer described the operation: “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. Their rapid response, professionalism and unwavering commitment to saving lives were instrumental in bringing everyone home safely.”

Capt. Rory Whipple noted that survivors had been in the life raft for about five hours before being located. He described their condition as “in distress” physically, mentally and emotionally. Whipple added that while the rescue team trains for such scenarios, “for those who survived the crash, it wasn’t just another day at work.” Dehydration was identified as a significant threat alongside potential injuries from the aircraft incident.

Piowaty, who participated in the rescue, emphasized the rarity of surviving an ocean crash: “I have not known anyone to survive a ditching in the ocean.” She explained that pilots prioritize sea states and crest conditions when landing at the slowest but safest air speed, adding, “For all those people to survive is pretty miraculous.” The operation occurred as a thunderstorm approached, with survivors using rain tarps for exposure protection.