An Amazon Prime Air Cargo 767, operated by Atlas Air, crashed into Trinity Bay at approximately 12:45 pm CST. The Amazon Air flight, using the callsign 5Y3591, was enroute from Miami to Houston. The aircraft lost contact approximately 30 miles from Bush Intercontinental Airport. Trinity Bay is east of Houston, just north of Galveston Bay near Anuahuac, Texas.
We have downloaded and processed granular ADS-B data from #5Y3591 received by the Flightradar24 receiver network. Data is available for download at https://t.co/NZQ2PwN9mP pic.twitter.com/9UJdWkzKYl
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) February 23, 2019
There were three personnel aboard the aircraft. It appears as if there are no survivors of the crash. “Knowing what I saw I don’t believe anyone could have survived,” Sheriff Brian Hawthorne of Chambers County told reporters, describing the recovery of some human remains from the water. “It looks like total devastation from the aircraft.” There are reports that the plane’s engines surged and the aircraft made a sharp nosedive being entering the bay. Personnel and black box recovery are underway.
Atlas Air released the following statement:
As was previously reported Atlas Air flight 3591 was involved in an accident earlier today. Three people were on board at the time.
At this stage a search investigation is underway. In the meantime, we are providing all possible information to the families and loved ones of those on board.
The flight from Miami to Houston was a cargo flight operated by Atlas Air on behalf of Amazon. We have activated our emergency response plans and we will be sending a specialist team to the crash site.
Everyone within the company is deeply saddened by this event. Our main priority at this time is caring for those affected and we will ensure we do all we can to support them now and in the days and weeks to come. We have a call center available for media inquiries the number is + 1 407 205 1814.
We are now working with the emergency services and other agencies to establish the circumstances around exactly what happened. Further updates will be available on our website.
Boeing, the manufacturer of the 767, released the following statement:
We are deeply saddened to learn of the Atlas Air 767 freighter that crashed near Anahuac, TX, earlier today. We are concerned about the safety of the 3 people reported to be on board. Boeing is prepared to provide technical assistance to the NTSB as it investigates the accident.
— Boeing Airplanes (@BoeingAirplanes) February 23, 2019
Amazon released the following statement: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the flight crew, their families and friends along with the entire team at Atlas Air during this terrible tragedy,” said Dave Clark, senior vice president of worldwide operations. “We appreciate the first responders who worked urgently to provide support.”
Final Word
This is an unfortunate situation. My thoughts go out to the families and friends of the crewmembers. I hope the black box is recovered soon to provide answers about this tragic accident.
H/T to the Sun Sentinel
Thoughts and prayers to the families involved.