AirEvac International fatal crash off Florida
Shortly after 20:00 hrs on 19 November, a Learjet 35 operated by AirEvac International crashed into the Atlantic Ocean around three miles off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US.
Shortly after 20:00 hrs on 19 November, a Learjet 35 operated by AirEvac International crashed into the Atlantic Ocean around three miles off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US. Agencies including US Coast Guard (USCG) Station Fort Lauderdale, USCG Air Station Miami, and local police and fire departments launched a search and rescue mission to locate the wreckage and any possible survivors. Taking part in the mission was an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Miami.
The Mexican Ministry of Communications and Transport confirmed that the four people onboard the aircraft, tail number XA-USD, were Fernando Senties Nieto, Mariana González Isunza and pilots José Hiram Galván de la O. and Josué Buendía Moreno. The plane had departed from Fort Lauderdale International Airport and was en route to Cozumel in Mexico, said the Ministry. According to the Miami Herald, the crew and medical staff had delivered a patient to Broward County, but shortly into the return flight, the airport control tower was advised that a mechanical problem had occurred and the pilots would attempt to return to the airport to land.
Wreckage from the aircraft was recovered by a USCG boat from a debris field around two miles northeast of Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Two bodies were also found.
Lt Commander Gabe Somma of the USCG told reporters: “We have recovered two bodies along with the debris field.” He added: “We are continuing to search with a number of local and state and federal search and rescue assets.”