By

Steven Yablonski is a digital content producer for CBS Miami and the South region.

Read Full Bio

Updated on: May 13, 2026 / 10:21 PM EDT / CBS Miami

Add CBS News on Google

Members of the U.S. military who helped to rescue 11 people who were on board a plane that crashed about 80 miles off the east coast of Florida on Tuesday spoke about the dramatic incident and said it was "miraculous" that no major injuries were reported.

The nail-biting incident took place about 80 miles off the coast of Melbourne , Florida, which is about 175 miles north of Miami .

Military officials said an emergency locator transmitter signal from a twin-engine turboprop airplane had alerted the U.S. Coast Guard Southeast District watchstanders to a potential distress situation around 11 a.m.…