11 rescued from life raft after plane crashes off Florida coast

Eleven people were rescued from a life raft after a small plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Florida’s coast Tuesday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Officials said the aircraft was traveling from Marsh Harbor in the Bahamas when it went down following an apparent engine failure, roughly 80 miles offshore.

Rescue crews from the Coast Guard, Air Force and Space Force responded to the scene after an aircrew on a training mission spotted the downed plane and survivors in a raft.

CBS News reported the rescue unfolded as a thunderstorm moved into the area.

“Once we flew over them and identified them, a thunderstorm was coming in, so they had their rain tarp over them for protection from exposure,” Maj. Elizabeth Piowaty, aircraft commander on the HC-130J Combat King II, said.

Helicopter crews hoisted all 11 survivors from the raft and transported them to shore for medical treatment. Officials said all were reported to be in stable condition.

Coast Guard officials said the survivors had no way to communicate after the crash.

“They didn't even know we were coming (to rescue them) until we were directly overhead,” Capt. Rory Whipple said.

Bahamian officials are continuing to investigate.

“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 said in a statement. “Their rapid response, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to saving lives were instrumental in bringing everyone home safely.”