A disastrous plane crash off the coast of Roatan Island, Honduras, killed at least seven people on Monday. The plane, flown by Honduran carrier Lanhsa, plunged into the sea just after takeoff, some one kilometer off the coast.
Authorities said 10 individuals were brought from the accident site, though six were already declared dead in the hospital. “A member of the flight crew was then recovered floating alongside the accident scene,” Major Wilmer Guerrero, of the fire department, confirmed to AFP, bringing the official death count to seven.
BREAKING: Plane carrying at least 15 passengers reportedly crashes into the waters of Honduras’ Bay Islands – local media pic.twitter.com/WFBxYFzxRt
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The plane, a Jetstream, had 17 passengers, three of whom were crew members. The transport minister for the country disclosed that among the passengers was an American national, a French national, as well as two children. The plane was headed to La Ceiba airport on the Honduran mainland when the crash happened.
Rescue Efforts Blighted by Harsh Conditions
Authorities, such as emergency responders and the island’s police department, have been laboring around the clock on rescue efforts. “The plane went down in the water just a few minutes after takeoff, so rescue efforts were difficult,” Roatan Island police chief Lisandro Muñoz explained.
Images of the wreckage and rescue efforts have spread far and wide on social media, bringing international attention to the disaster. Officials have not yet established the cause of the crash.
Delta Airlines Jet Rattles Runway During New York Go-Around
In another aviation accident, a Delta Airlines regional jet struck the runway while performing a go-around procedure at LaGuardia Airport in New York on Sunday evening.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) verified that Endeavor Air Flight 4814, flying on behalf of Delta Airlines, collided its left wing with the runway around 10:10 p.m. EDT. The plane was performing a go-around after having an unstable approach.
Passengers and Crew Safe, FAA Investigates Incident
Thankfully, there were no reported injuries. Delta Airlines said, ” The crew followed established procedures to safely enact a go-around at New York-LaGuardia. The aircraft landed safely and proceeded to its arrival gate.”
The plane had taken off from Jacksonville, Florida, and was carrying 76 passengers and four crew members. The FAA opened an investigation into the incident to find out the reason behind the unstable landing approach and resulting runway contact.
Ongoing Investigations and Aviation Safety Issues
Both aviation accidents have created issues regarding flight safety and the necessity of strict safety procedures. Although the reasons behind the Honduran accident are still under investigation, the FAA is currently investigating the Delta Airlines incident. These accidents underscore the unpredictable nature of air travel and the paramount importance of safety procedures.
