On 12 May 2026 at 1518 UTC (1118 EDT) an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) was detected at 27 52.5N 79 29.4W, 60 NM southeast of Melbourne, FL.
It activated when an aircraft, with 11 people on board, crashed into the water after experiencing engine trouble and running out of fuel.
Coast Guard District 7 received the alert and coordinated with the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, which diverted a nearby aircraft to the coordinates that located the pilot and passengers in a life raft.
The Air Force then launched a helicopter to the scene, rescued the 11 people from the life raft, and transported them to awaiting emergency services in Melbourne.
11 SARSAT RESCUES