Mexican Navy Plane Carrying Burn Patients Crashes in Galveston Bay, Killing at Least Five

A Mexican Navy plane carrying burn patients to Shriners Children’s Hospital in Galveston, Texas, crashed in Galveston Bay on Monday, killing at least five people. Eight people were on board, including four navy officers, three civilians, and a child. The King Air ANX-1209 aircraft departed from Merida, Mexico, as part of a medical mission coordinated with the Michou and Mau Foundation. The crash occurred while approaching Galveston, and the cause is under investigation. FAA and NTSB officials, along with Galveston County rescue teams, are on site.

A Mexican Navy aircraft, assigned to transport critically ill burn patients to the United States for specialized medical care, tragically crashed on Monday in the waters of Galveston Bay, claiming the lives of at least five people. The incident has sent shockwaves through both the local community in Texas and medical teams in Mexico, highlighting the dangers and urgency inherent in emergency medical transport missions.
The Mexican Navy confirmed that eight individuals were on board the twin-turboprop King Air ANX-1209 aircraft at the time of the crash. This included four navy officers, who were part of the medical transport crew, and four civilians, among whom was a child. The passengers were being transported to Shriners Children’s Hospital in Galveston, a renowned facility specializing in the care of children suffering from severe burns and other critical injuries.
The flight had originated from Merida, in Mexico’s Yucatan state, and was heading to Galveston Scholes International Airport. It was part of a coordinated medical mission with the Michou and Mau Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping children with life-threatening burns access specialized medical care in the United States. The foundation has been instrumental in arranging emergency transport for young patients who require urgent treatment that is not available locally, often coordinating complex international transfers to ensure these children receive timely care.
Authorities reported that the plane went down while making its final approach to Galveston, though the precise cause of the accident is still under investigation. In response, officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were deployed to the crash site to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office has been actively involved in rescue and recovery efforts. Its dive team, crime scene unit, drone unit, and patrol officers have all been assisting at the site, working to recover victims and secure the area for investigators. Emergency responders are facing challenging conditions as they attempt to gather information and provide any possible assistance to survivors.
This tragic accident underscores the critical importance and inherent risks of medical transport missions, especially those involving severely injured or critically ill patients. The crash has prompted a wave of condolences and support from officials in both Mexico and the United States, as well as from humanitarian organizations involved in patient transport and burn care. Families of the victims, medical teams, and advocacy groups are mourning the loss while emphasizing the dedication and bravery of those who undertake these missions to save lives.
The Michou and Mau Foundation, which has long been committed to providing urgent care to children with severe burns, expressed deep sorrow over the accident. The organization has highlighted the vital role such missions play in saving lives and providing hope to families whose children face life-threatening injuries. The tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the challenges faced by medical professionals and emergency responders working under high-pressure, high-risk circumstances to bring critical care to those in need.