Eleven survivors rescued after plane crashes into Atlantic off Florida coast

Eleven people survived after a Beechcraft 300 King Air plane, registered HP-1859 in Panama, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean about 80 miles east of Melbourne, Florida, triggering a dramatic multi-hour rescue operation involving the United States Coast Guard and Air Force reservists.

According to officials, the survivors spent around five hours adrift in a life raft before being located and rescued on Tuesday. All 11 people aboard the aircraft survived. Three people suffered injuries.

The pilot declared an emergency while en route between Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, and Freeport, Grand Bahama, before communication was lost with air traffic control. The rescue began after Air Force Reserve crews conducting training exercises in the area received reports of a possible downed aircraft. Using signals from the aircraft’s emergency locator transmitter (ELT), rescuers were able to locate the raft in rough ocean conditions.

Elizabeth Piowaty described the survival of everyone on board as “pretty miraculous,” while Captain Rory Whipple said the passengers appeared physically and emotionally distressed when found.

The stranded survivors reportedly had no means of communication and did not know rescuers were searching for them until aircraft arrived overhead. Rescue crews dropped food, water and survival supplies before extraction operations were completed.

Officials said crews also had to manage fuel limitations and difficult sea conditions during the operation. Lieutenant Colonel Matt Johnson noted that the airmen involved had extensive prior operational experience working together.

An investigation is expected to follow.

Note: the featured picture doesn’t represent the aircraft that actually crashed and is only for illustration.