Tonight three people are lucky to be alive after the Tropic Air Cessna they were travelling in experienced engine failure, and crash-landed in the sea between Turneffe and Lighthouse reef. But, the Captain, Denfield Borland showed remarkable grace under pressure and safely ditched the plane in a shallow area near to an island - where the Coast Guard and Belize Audubon Rangers were able to rescue him and two passengers.
The Civil Aviation Department has confirmed that the distress call came into the control tower at the PGIA at 4:17 pm from a Tropic Air Cessna 182 headed to Roatan. Pilot Borland told them that the single engine Cessna was experiencing difficulties and would not be able to reach its destination or any other airport, and would be making a water landing in the vicinity of Half Moon Caye.
Civil Aviation immediately activated the Coast Guard stationed at the Turneffe Atoll and the Belize Audubon Society - which operates a station at Half-moon caye. It is estimated that the plane went down at around 4:45, and at 5:09 PM, the joint team found the pilot and two passengers - reportedly on a safety raft which was onboard the plane.
The Coast Guard is now taking them to Blackbird Caye where Tropic Air will then handle the logistics.
Civil aviation says it will CARRY OUT A FULL AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION.
Experts tell us that the plane was flying at a few thousand feet when it experienced engine failure and this gave the pilot at least five minutes to coast and plot the safest landing area in shallow water, near to an island. The pilot is reportedly very experienced and is classed as a senior captain.
The aircraft is reported to be fairly new and the only one with what is known as a glass cockpit with the latest electronics. But, all that didn't prevent if from experiencing engine failure and taking a dive into the sea. IT's a real miracle all persons have been saved and no one was hurt, but it's also another bad mark on the record of Tropic Air. We'll have more on the story tomorrow.
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