A Mexican Navy plane crashed near Galveston Bay Monday afternoon, killing at least five people, including a child, and prompting a search along the Texas coast. The small aircraft was carrying a young medical patient and seven others when it went down in the waters about 50 miles southeast of Houston. Emergency responders and search teams rushed to the scene near the popular beach destination along the Texas coast.
The aircraft was on a medical mission in coordination with the Michou and Mau Foundation, which provides emergency transports to children with life-threatening burns to Shriners Children’s Hospital in Galveston. Mexico’s Navy said the plane had an “accident” during its approach to Galveston but did not elaborate. The crash took place Monday afternoon in Galveston Bay near the base of the causeway that connects Galveston Island to the mainland.
Four of the people aboard were Navy officers and four were civilians, including a child, Mexico’s Navy said in a statement to The Associated Press. Two of the passengers were from the nonprofit that provides aid to Mexican children with severe burns, including transports to a Galveston hospital. “U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Luke Baker said at least five aboard had died but did not identify which passengers.”
Mexico’s Marines said in a statement that it is sending “its deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident.” The statement from Mexico’s Navy said the plane had an “accident” during its approach to Galveston but did not elaborate.
Teams from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have arrived at the scene of the crash, the Texas Department of Public Safety said on the social platform X. A spokesperson from NTSB said they are “aware of this accident and are gathering information about it.” The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office said officials from its dive team, crime scene unit, drone unit and patrol were responding to the crash.
The search in waters along the Texas coast was set off by the loss of life, with authorities combing the Gulf of Mexico for debris and survivors. The hospital and foundation did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
It is not immediately clear if weather was a factor. The area has been experiencing foggy conditions over the past few days, according to Cameron Batiste, a National Weather Service meteorologist. He said that at about 2:30 p.m. Monday a fog came in that had about a half-mile visibility.
Key Takeaways
- At least five people died, including a child.
- The plane was on a medical transport mission for burn patients.
- Investigation underway; weather conditions included fog with half-mile visibility.
The crash underscores the risks of aviation operations near coastlines and the importance of thorough investigations to determine the cause.
