UPDATE: A devastating plane crash involving a Mexican Navy aircraft has claimed at least six lives and left a family searching for answers after the plane went down off the coast of Galveston, Texas, on January 15, 2025. The aircraft was transporting a young medical patient and seven others when communication was lost for approximately 10 minutes before the crash.
The twin turboprop Beech King Air 350i was on a mission to transport Mexican children with severe burns to Shriners Children’s Texas when it crashed in thick fog around Monday afternoon. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that authorities initially believed the plane had landed safely, only to discover the tragic reality during a search operation.
Rescue teams recovered five bodies from the wreckage and pulled two survivors from the debris. Sadly, 29-year-old Navy Lieutenant Luis Enrique Castillo was reported missing, prompting his family back home in southern Mexico to grapple with uncertainty and grief. “We don’t know what to do. All we can do is wait,” his father, Eduardo Castillo, lamented, expressing the family’s desperate hope for his son’s survival.
A search operation continued until late Tuesday night when Castillo’s body was located. American authorities, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), are now investigating the cause of the crash, which could take a week or more to determine. “What happened is very tragic,” Sheinbaum stated, highlighting the loss of Navy personnel among the deceased.
As the plane approached Sholes International Airport, it was operating under hazardous weather conditions with visibility reduced to only half a mile due to fog. Experts indicate that the aircraft was descending rapidly below 200 feet, well before reaching the runway. “The pilot should have aborted the landing if the runway wasn’t visible,” said aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti.
Eyewitness accounts describe harrowing scenes as local boat captain Sky Decker rushed to help, finding survivors trapped amidst the wreckage. “She was really fighting for her life,” Decker recalled, detailing the perilous rescue efforts.
The plane was part of a humanitarian effort coordinated with the Michou and Mau Foundation, which has a long history of aiding children with severe burn injuries. Following the incident, the foundation expressed its condolences to the victims’ families, while Shriners Children’s Texas confirmed they learned of the crash with “profound sadness.”
This tragic event unfolds amid growing concerns over aviation safety, following a series of high-profile crashes this year. However, experts maintain that overall air travel remains safe. The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report within 30 days, which will include a thorough review of maintenance records, weather conditions, and air traffic control communications.
As families mourn their losses, the community continues to seek answers, and the investigation into this heartbreaking incident unfolds. Stay tuned for updates as authorities work to uncover the full details surrounding this tragic crash.
