A small twin-engine aircraft crashed into the Caribbean Sea on the morning of 13/5 while flying from Marsh Harbour to Freeport, Bahamas. Around 11h on 12/5, the United States Coast Guard received an emergency locator beacon signal from the plane's black box in waters approximately 129 km off Melbourne, Florida, USA.
The United States Coast Guard alerted an HC 130J Combat King II aircraft, commanded by Major Elizabeth Piowaty, to the incident. The aircraft, which was on a training flight nearby, was diverted to the search area.
Piowaty's team located all 11 occupants alive in a life raft, approximately 5 hours after the crash. They were physically and mentally exhausted, sheltering under a tarp from the elements.
While awaiting a rescue helicopter, the Coast Guard dropped a supply package containing food, water, and floats. All individuals on board were Bahamian citizens.
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A helicopter rescues the group of crash victims off the coast of Florida, 12/5. *Photo: AP*
A helicopter subsequently transported the survivors to safety. "Based on what I witnessed, the survival of everyone on that plane is truly a miracle", Piowaty stated during a press conference on 13/5.
Major Piowaty emphasized the crucial role of the plane's emergency locator beacon in guiding rescuers to the crash site. "They had no way to communicate or call for help, and they didn't even know we were coming until the aircraft flew overhead. One cannot imagine their level of panic".
The United States Air Force reported that pilots involved in the rescue operation faced both rough sea conditions and "bingo time", the critical fuel limit for an aircraft to continue its mission before needing to return, divert, or reach a safe refueling point.
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Location of the Bahamas archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. *Graphic: Britannica*
The helicopter hoisted all 11 individuals in 9 cable pulls, completing the rescue with only approximately 5 minutes of fuel remaining before needing to refuel mid-air or land immediately.
Bahamian authorities are investigating the cause of the plane crash. The Bahamas is an island nation located southeast of Florida, comprising over 700 large and small islands, renowned for its beach tourism and resorts.
By Duc Trung (Based on reports from NBC News, Reuters, and AP)
