INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A multi-agency search spanned roughly 40 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean Thursday after a beachgoer reported seeing a white object fall from the sky and hit the water about 20 miles offshore, followed by a plume of black smoke.
The 911 call came in around 4 p.m. from Treasure Shores Beach Park. The caller also reported a boat near the impact area.
Indian River County Sheriff’s Office marine units, the U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers and aircraft from Patrick Space Force Base responded. A C-130 Hercules from the Space Force base joined the search.
Sheriff’s boats spoke with several recreational boaters in the area. None reported seeing anything unusual.
A sheriff’s office spokesman said Patrick Space Force Base confirmed it was not conducting military training exercises at the time. Officials noted, however, that military aircraft sometimes drop flares into the water in that region.
Sheriff’s officials also checked with the Federal Aviation Administration and air traffic control. Neither agency had any reports of a downed or distressed aircraft, Jaworski said.
By late afternoon, search crews found no debris field and no other evidence of a crash. All agencies stood down and left the area.
No injuries were reported.
