A small plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Florida at night, but three people survived the ordeal. Authorities called the pilot and two passengers’ rescue a “heroic” nighttime operation.
The plane went down around 8:30 p.m. local time. Sheriff Eric Flowers of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office said the pilot sent a mayday call shortly before the plane crashed. The pilot was flying the plane toward Vero Beach Airport when it went down just a few miles off the coast.
Fortunately, rescuers acted quickly. A helicopter found three heat signatures in the water, confirming the survivors’ positions after the plane crash. Air and Marine Operations, part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, pulled the pilot and passengers safely from the ocean after the plane went down.
Sheriff Flowers estimated the trio had been treading water for about 45 minutes before rescuers reached them. The pilot suffered the most serious injuries, including rib pain. However, medical teams transported all three to Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce for evaluation.
Officials now focus on investigating the cause of the plane crash. Both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have opened inquiries into the plane’s accident.
Flowers praised multiple agencies for their joint rescue effort. He called the event incredibly heroic and emphasized the importance of quick action. “Without our efforts, those passengers would likely have perished after the plane went down,” he said.
The rescue depended heavily on the pilot’s mayday call, which gave precise coordinates of the plane’s location. Additionally, a witness spotted the crash and helped officials find the plane’s crash site. A helicopter then located the individuals in the water and guided rescue boats directly to them.
When rescue teams arrived, the two passengers pointed toward the pilot’s location. Deputy Pilot Jonathan Lozada highlighted the rescue’s challenges. Darkness and distance complicated the operation, especially since the team flew three miles offshore—a rare mission for their unit involving a downed plane.
Despite these obstacles, rescuers showed determination and courage. The entire team expressed relief and gratitude after saving everyone on board the plane.
Sheriff Flowers looks forward to sharing the survivors’ firsthand stories once they recover. “This is an incredible story,” he told reporters. “From our side, the rescue was truly phenomenal.”
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