Air Force rescues 11 people off Florida coast after plane crash

After a Bahamian plane crashed off Florida’s east coast on May 12, 11 passengers were stranded on a life raft for hours.

The small plane’s navigation systems, radio and engines failed during what was supposed to be a routine flight between two islands in the Bahamas. The plane’s emergency transmitter sent a distress call alerting the U.S. Coast Guard.

“You could tell just by looking at them that they were physically, mentally and emotionally distressed,” Air Force combat rescue officer Capt. Rory Whipple said at a news conference after the rescue.

All 11 people on board were rescued and their condition was stated to be stable.

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