Three pensioner war veterans were rescued near the Isles of Scilly after their light aircraft ditched into the sea.
The incident involving the Cessna aircraft happened off St Mary's, said a Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman.
They were recovered from the sea by a local fishing boat, and are to be flown to hospital in Truro by a Royal Navy helicopter.
The three on board the ditched single engine Cessna 172 aircraft were all ex Fleet Air Arm pilots.
One them was aged 79, the other two over 80, said the manager of the Isles of Scilly airport on St Mary's, Allan Hicks.
He said the Cessna was one of nine light aircraft which set out together from Land's End for a day trip to the islands.
"The pilot reported engine trouble, he thought it was fuel, sent out a mayday and ditched three miles south of the island of St Martins," said Mr Hicks.
"The fishing boat Semper Allegro saw the aircraft ditch into the sea and went to pick them up.
"They were lucky the fishing boat saw them and went straight to them," said Mr Hicks.
He said the other aircraft in the group landed safely.
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