BREAKING: In a tragic incident, a small Mexican Navy plane crashed off the coast of Galveston, Texas, killing at least six people, including a young medical patient. The crash occurred on January 15, 2024, as the aircraft was en route to transport children with severe burns to a hospital. Authorities confirmed that the plane lost communication with air traffic controllers for approximately 10 minutes before the crash, which happened in thick fog.
The aircraft, a twin turboprop Beech King Air 350i, was working in partnership with the Michou and Mau Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping children with burn injuries. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated during a morning briefing that the plane was nearing Sholes International Airport when it descended below safe altitudes. Radar data indicated the plane was far too low while visibility was severely limited to about half a mile due to dense fog.
The search and recovery operation revealed five bodies at the crash site, while two survivors were rescued. The missing pilot, 29-year-old Luis Enrique Castillo, was later confirmed dead. His family in El Pantano, Veracruz, expressed devastation over the loss. “Now he’s never going to meet his unborn child,” his father, Eduardo Castillo, lamented as he received the heartbreaking news.
Rescue efforts were hampered by challenging conditions, but local yacht captain Sky Decker heroically intervened. He navigated through the fog to locate the wreckage and managed to save an injured woman trapped inside the plane. “She was really fighting for her life,” Decker recounted, highlighting the desperate situation.
As investigations begin, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is examining flight records and weather conditions surrounding the crash. Officials noted that the plane’s navigation system was out of service, which may have contributed to the tragedy. Aviation expert Jeff Guzzetti warned that the pilot should have aborted the landing attempt under these circumstances.
The Michou and Mau Foundation, which has aided over 2,000 patients in its 23 years of operation, expressed condolences for the victims and their families, while Shriners Children’s Texas shared their sorrow but could not comment on the child’s condition.
This incident adds to a concerning pattern of aviation safety issues, coming amid heightened scrutiny after multiple crashes over the past year, including a recent midair collision near Washington, D.C. Despite this, overall flight safety remains statistically sound.
Stay tuned for further updates as the investigation unfolds and families seek answers in this devastating event.
