Pilot Describes Engine Failure and Crash Landing Off Florida Coast

A veteran pilot from the Bahamas lost both engines, all communication and avionics while flying a chartered Beechcraft King Air 300 on May 12, 2026. The aircraft went down in the water about 50 nautical miles off the east coast of Florida. All 11 people on board survived the ditching and were rescued hours later by the 920th Rescue Wing.

Ian Nixon, the 43-year-old pilot, told CBS News he first lost one engine, then the second, and was unable to reach anyone on the radio. He attempted to contact Freeport in the Bahamas and Miami radio without success. Nixon said he had never experienced a simultaneous failure of navigation, radios and avionics in more than 25 years of flying.

After the aircraft struck the water, Nixon's immediate thought was that the group had survived the impact. The 11 people boarded a life raft and floated for hours in rough weather while uncertain whether their emergency beacon had activated. Nixon recalled telling the others that a plane would appear within 10 minutes; shortly afterward a U.S.

Air Force aircraft spotted them. All 11 people were taken to a hospital in Florida. Three suffered minor injuries. Nixon received treatment for minor injuries at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Florida, before the Bahamian government arranged his return to Nassau.

The flight had departed Marsh Harbour in the Bahamas' Abaco Islands that morning bound for Freeport, Grand Bahama, a trip that normally takes about 20 minutes. After the dual engine failure Nixon flew as far as possible before ditching. The Bahamas Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority stated that because the incident occurred outside territorial waters it would not conduct the investigation.

The agency added that it had notified the relevant authorities and would not speculate on the cause. It said any such matters would fall within the scope of the official investigation conducted by the appropriate investigating authority once determined. Nixon, who has been a pilot since age 18 and is the father of three, offered a closing reflection after the event.

"Just have faith, keep praying and care about one another — always tell your family you love them," he said.