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11 Survive Private Plane Crash Off Florida, Rescued by US Air Force Helicopter
A private plane traveling from the Bahamas crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida coast on May 13, 2026. An Air Force combat rescue helicopter located all 11 survivors in a life raft as a storm approached, completing the mission with minutes to spare before fuel ran out. The survivors were airlifted to hospital.
May 14, 3:16 PM·1m read3 sources
AJ
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A private plane from the Bahamas crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Florida on May 13, 2026, but all 11 people on board survived after being located in a life raft by a US Air Force combat rescue helicopter. US Air Force footage documented the dramatic rescue operation as a storm approached the area.
Post by @AJEnglish on X
With limited fuel, the helicopter found all 11 victims and hoisted them to safety, completing the mission with just minutes to spare.
Survivors were found clustered in the life raft bobbing in the open Atlantic. An Air Force combat rescue helicopter located all 11 victims before the worsening weather could close in. The crew airlifted the survivors directly to hospital for evaluation.
The entire operation unfolded rapidly after the helicopter reached the scene despite its critically low fuel reserves. The successful outcome hinged on precise timing. The rescue mission was completed with just minutes to spare before the helicopter would have been forced to turn back.
Footage released by the US Air Force showed the helicopter hovering over the raft as rotors churned the ocean surface. Crew members lowered lines to pull each survivor aboard one by one while the approaching storm darkened the horizon behind them. No further details on the cause of the crash or the identities of those aboard have been released.
The 11 survivors represent the full complement of people who had been on the private plane when it went down.
