Six Confirmed Dead After Mexican Navy Plane Crash Off Texas Coast
UPDATE: A tragic plane crash off the coast of Galveston, Texas, has left six people dead, including a young medical patient. The Mexican Navy aircraft, a Beech King Air 350i, was transporting children with severe burns when it lost communication with air traffic controllers and crashed in thick fog on January 15, 2025.
The plane, involved in a humanitarian mission with the Michou and Mau Foundation, was approaching Sholes International Airport when it disappeared from radar for approximately 10 minutes. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the grim details in a morning briefing, revealing that teams discovered five bodies and rescued two survivors from the wreckage.
As search teams scoured the waters near Galveston, they located the body of 29-year-old Navy Lieutenant Luis Enrique Castillo later that evening. His family in rural Veracruz, Mexico, is grappling with the devastating news. “We don’t know what to do,” his father, Eduardo Castillo, shared. “We can’t go to the United States; we have no visa.”
The crash occurred in a bay close to the Galveston causeway, amid reports of poor visibility due to dense fog. Investigators noted that the plane was too low as it approached the airport, with weather conditions severely limiting visibility to about half a mile. Jeff Guzzetti, a former NTSB investigator, stated the aircraft should not have attempted landing given the circumstances. The navigation system critical for landing had been out of service for over a week.
Witnesses described the chaotic scene. Sky Decker, a local yacht captain, rushed to assist and recounted rescuing a severely injured woman trapped beneath debris. “She was fighting for her life,” he recalled, adding that there was jet fuel mixed with water around her.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the crash. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days. Authorities will review maintenance records, weather forecasts, and air traffic control communications to determine the cause of the crash.
The plane was part of a medical mission aimed at providing treatment for children with severe burns. Over the past 23 years, the Michou and Mau Foundation has facilitated the transfer of more than 2,000 patients to specialized medical facilities, including Shriners Children’s Texas.
As the investigation unfolds, aviation safety remains a pressing concern. This crash adds to a string of recent aviation incidents, intensifying scrutiny on air travel safety protocols.
In a heartfelt statement, the Michou and Mau Foundation expressed condolences to the families of the victims, while Shriners Children’s Texas conveyed their profound sadness over the incident.
The emotional toll on the families affected is immense, as Eduardo Castillo mourns the loss of his son, who was eagerly awaiting the birth of his child. “Now he’s never going to meet his unborn child,” he lamented, surrounded by family in their home, filled with memories of Luis Enrique.
As authorities continue their investigation, the community in Veracruz and beyond is left to grapple with the tragic loss and seek answers for the devastating crash that claimed so many lives.
