USCG Rescues One in Plane Crash

A man was rescued by Coast Guard aircrews after his plane crashed approximately five miles east of South Bimini, Bahamas, Monday afternoon.

Rescued was David Pedroza, 43, from Boca Raton, Florida.

At approximately 1:50 p.m. watchstanders at the Coast Guard 7th District in Miami received a report from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center of an activated emergency locator transmitter from an overdue Cesna believed to be traveling from Norman Cay, Bahamas, to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport in Florida.  AFRCC reported the plane was last seen on radar descending east of South Bimini Airport in the Bahamas. 

Coast Guard watchstanders diverted an airborne Clearwater, Florida, based HC-130 Hercules airplane crew, who located the submerged aircraft and Pedroza in the water.  A Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew was launched and safely hoisted the downed pilot at 3:36 p.m.

Pedroza was taken to Air Station Miami in stable condition.