Plane Found in Water Near Everglades, Search Underway

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A plane was reported in the water near the Everglades in Collier County, Florida on Friday afternoon. The Collier County Sheriff's Office responded and located one patient, but the individual's condition is currently unclear. Fire rescue and EMS crews are on the scene, and the sheriff's office aviation unit is searching the surrounding area for any additional people who may be in the water.

Why it matters

The Everglades is a remote and environmentally sensitive area, making search and rescue efforts more challenging. Plane crashes in this region can have significant environmental impacts, and the fate of any passengers is a major public safety concern.

The details

According to the Collier County Sheriff's Office, the call came in at 12:49 p.m. reporting an aircraft in the water, though the caller did not witness the crash itself. Due to the remote location, deputies do not yet have an exact crash site. CCSO's marine unit responded and located one patient, but the individual's condition is currently unclear. The sheriff's office aviation unit is searching the surrounding area for any additional people who may be in the water.

• The call reporting the plane in the water came in at 12:49 p.m. on Friday, February 15, 2026.

What’s next

The investigation into the cause of the crash and the status of any additional victims is ongoing. The Collier County Sheriff's Office and other emergency response agencies will continue search and rescue efforts in the remote area.