Galveston plane crash: NTSB investigating, at least 5 dead including child patient
GALVESTON, Texas - The NTSB is investigating Monday's deadly plane crash at Galveston Bay which left at least five people dead, including a child.
On Monday around 3:20 p.m., Galveston authorities were informed about an aircraft that crashed west of the Galveston Causeway with multiple people in the water.
Investigation into deadly plane crash
What's next:
According to the NTSB, their first step is recovering the aircraft from Galveston Bay, which could take a week or more to complete. Once the wreckage is recovered, it will be take to a secure facility and examined by an NTSB investigator.
Child patient was on board plane that crashed in Galveston Bay
FOX 26's Jade Flury provides further information on the medical support plane that crashed in Galveston Bay on Monday. Five people are dead and one missing person is believed to be dead.
As part of this process, investigators will gather the following information and records:
- Flight track data
- Recordings of any air traffic control communications
- Aircraft maintenance records
- Weather forecasts and actual weather and lighting conditions around the time of the accident
- Pilot’s license, ratings and recency of flight experience
- 72-hour background of the pilot to determine if there were any issues that could have affected the pilot’s ability to safely operate the flight
- Electronic devices that could contain information relevant to the investigation
At least 5 killed in Galveston Bay plane crash
What we know:
The Secretariat of the Navy of Mexico reported the aircraft came from their institution and was on a medical support mission with the Michou and Mau Foundation.
NTSB says the aircraft was a Beech King Air 350i airplane. The aircraft experienced an "accident" during its approach to Galveston, Mexican Navy officials stated.
VIDEO: Galveston Bay rescuers search through debris
Video shared by Sky Decker shows rescuers in Galveston Bay searching through debris after a medical support plane from Mexico crashed. It has since been reported six people have died.
According to the Mexican Navy, eight people were onboard the plane: four Navy crew members and four civilians. One of the civilians was a child patient with burn injuries, officials said.
Shriners Children's in Galveston confirmed the child was coming to their center for treatment.
The Mexican Consulate states they received information from the Mexican Navy stating of the eight members, at least five people have been confirmed dead. One of the crew members is missing, and their body has not been found, but they are presumed dead by officials. A companion of the patient and a nurse reportedly survived the crash.
What we don't know:
It is unconfirmed at this time what might have caused the crash.
The identity of the victims has not been released by officials.
What they're saying:
Michou and Mau gave this statement:
At Fundación Michou y Mau, we express our deep solidarity with the families in the face of the events that have occurred. We accompany their pain with respect and closeness, honoring the memory and reaffirming our commitment to the human, sensitive, and dignified care of girls and boys with burns.
A representative with Shriners Children's sent the following statement:
It is with profound sadness that we learned of a child involved in a plane crash while being transported for burn care in Galveston this afternoon. Shriners Children’s Texas prides ourselves on caring for children from all over the world. Having not admitted this patient, we are unable to provide any information.
Witness describes rescue
RAW VIDEO: Witnesses describe Galveston plane crash scene
Sky Decker and his 11-year-old son, Sky V. Decker, described heading to the scene of the Galveston Bay plane crash to offer help and their experience rescuing a passenger.
Sky Decker, a witness to the scene, claims he and his son were out for a boat ride when they heard about the crash and went out to try helping.
They were near their home about a mile out from the crash when they were waved down by policemen. Decker says they were told the police didn't have boots at the time to use.
"When I saw the wreckage, I couldn't imagine there would be anyone alive in there, but people at the scene said there was," Decker said. "I was able to get one woman out that was alive and one man that had already passed away. She was in a lot of pain. She was asking about the baby."
Decker goes on to describe what he witnessed.
"It was horrific," he said. "Luckily, the plane crashed in shallow water or else it would have been completely submerged. There was just enough of the plane sticking out for this woman to breathe. She's really lucky. That lady is a survivor. She really fought for her life. There was jet fuel in the plane."
Decker's 11-year-old son, Sky Vaughn Decker, said his goal was to get footage to hopefully help out the police.
The Source: Information form this article was gathered from NTSB, the Mexican Navy, the Mexican Consulate in Houston, Galveston authorities, and witnesses at the scene.