Maya Island Air misses runway in Belize City
A Maya Island Air flight had a close call today when it overshot the runway and ended up in the sea. Fortunately no one was hurt. News Five was at the scene.
Eyewitness
“The plane was coming in straight. We no really know what happen after that; we just never hear the engine again.”
Q: “What gone through your mind when you didn’t hear the engine any more?”
Eyewitness
“Probably it just crash. That was the only thing that could have come to my suggestion. And then I start to call all those boys and tell them a plane went down.”
Around twelve thirty this afternoon, the three passengers and the pilot of flight number 106 were coming in from Dangriga when the four-seater Cessna single engine plane missed the runway.
Eyewitness
“They had three passengers, three Belizean guys.”
Q: “And they were shaken up?”
Eyewitness
“Not exactly, they came out unhurt; they were just worrying about their computer and so.”
Managing Director of Maya Island Air Fernando Trejo says the airline and the Civil Aviation Department are investigating the accident.
All flights from Maya Island Air and the other airlines were rerouted to the International Airport while the police conducted their investigations. The airstrip reopened around two thirty after the plane had been removed from the crash site. Several Maya Island Air passengers waited patiently for their flight.
Colleen Christian, Passenger
“We’re supposed to be on at one o’clock but it crashed before it got here. Well the three passengers that got off the plane told us that they just missed the runway.”
Q: “How do you feel getting another plane like this, now?”
Janet Little, Passenger
“Not real comfortable.”
Colleen Christian
“It doesn’t bother me; I feel safe. I’m not worried about it.”
Janelle Chanona for News Five.
Maya Island Air says they would like to reassure their customers that it is safe to fly with them. According to Trejo the plane sustained minor damage and should be up in the air soon. The passengers and pilot were not admitted to hospital. Maya Island Air says with as many as forty flights a day, their safety record is very good.
