Two rescued after microlight ditched off Wales coast

Two people were rescued unharmed after their microlight aircraft was forced to ditch into the sea off the coast of Wales on Friday evening, June 26, 2026. The pair were found sitting on the wing of the floating aircraft by a major air and sea rescue operation.

The aircraft, which had departed from Ireland, was en route to Aberporth in Ceredigion for a planned refueling stop before continuing to Italy. It issued a Mayday call after experiencing mechanical difficulties and came down in the water at approximately 6 p.m., about nine to ten nautical miles northwest of Cardigan Island in Cardigan Bay.

Milford Haven Coastguard coordinated the response, paging RNLI lifeboat crews from New Quay, Cardigan, and Fishguard and tasking a Coastguard rescue helicopter. The helicopter and Cardigan's Atlantic 85 lifeboat were among the first to arrive on scene, quickly locating the wreckage. Both occupants were found conscious and responsive, wearing life jackets and perched on the aircraft's wing.

Volunteers from the Cardigan crew used rescue lines to bring the two individuals safely aboard their lifeboat. Officials reported the survivors were extremely cold but alert. They received immediate...