Overview:
Florida-based Christian ministry, Agape Flights, has confirmed this week that it’s getting ready to return to the US the our bodies of two American pilots killed in a Feb. 5 aircraft crash within the mountains close to Haiti’s Jérémie. The small cargo plane was positioned a day after contact was misplaced. Nonetheless, the pilots’ stays had been recovered a number of days later throughout search operations led by Haiti’s Nationwide Civil Aviation Workplace, with assist from the native Rescue and Coordination Heart and Hero Shopper Rescue— a U.S.-based nonprofit specializing in aviation rescue.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — Agape Flights stated this week it’s getting ready to return to the US the our bodies of two American pilots killed when one among its cargo plane crashed Feb. 5 within the mountains close to Jérémie, in Haiti’s Grand’Anse Division.
The Florida-based Christian aviation ministry confirmed that the pilots’ stays had been recovered a number of days after the crash of its Embraer 110 Bandeirante, tail number N316AF, following a lack of contact.
“Presently, the one replace now we have is that the our bodies of the pilots have been recovered and we’re engaged on returning them residence as quickly as potential,” Jacques Could, communications director for Agape Flights, instructed The Haitian Instances on Feb. 10.
The group has since recognized the pilots as Patrick Decker and Kory Elleby, however has not launched further particulars. As of Friday, the group had not confirmed whether or not the our bodies had been repatriated, as beforehand introduced.
In a statement posted on its Fb web page, Agape Flights stated Decker was the daddy of two grownup kids and had flown for United Airways for 40 years earlier than serving 9 years as a volunteer pilot with the ministry, flying weekly cargo missions. Elleby, additionally a father of two, flew with Agape Flights for eight years.
“Each faithfully answered the decision God positioned on their lives and gave themselves absolutely to it,” the group stated. “Although their lives led to tragedy, their faithfulness and obedience will proceed to stay lengthy after this second.”
Agape Flights CEO Allen Speer confirmed the plane’s disappearance in a video message launched Feb. 6, saying the group didn’t anticipate both pilot to have survived.
Haiti’s authorities Joint Rescue and Coordination Heart and Hero Shopper Rescue— an affiliate of U.S.-based nonprofit Hero Basis specializing in aviation rescue—started search operations after receiving a misery alert and deployed two helicopters. The plane was positioned the next day in mountainous terrain between Jérémie and Les Cayes, beneath the course of Haiti’s Nationwide Civil Aviation Workplace, generally known as OFNAC.
The aircraft’s wreckage was present in a number of items. Authorities haven’t launched details about the reason for the crash nor the identification of the pilots killed.
Second aviation incident in three days amid ongoing flight disruptions
The crash follows the emergency touchdown of a Bolt Express aircraft on Feb. 3 throughout a flight from Port-au-Prince to Les Cayes. Bolt, a industrial constitution flight primarily based in Toledo, Ohio, stated all six folks aboard — passengers and crew — had been unhurt.
Neither the authorities nor the airline has disclosed particulars about what prompted the emergency touchdown.
Aviation incidents aren’t unusual in Haiti, the place insecurity and deteriorating street situations usually make air journey a most well-liked choice for journey between departments.
“Presently, the one replace now we have is that the our bodies of the pilots have been recovered and we’re engaged on returning them residence as quickly as potential.”
Jacques Could, Communications Director of Agape Flights
In October 2024, a personal aircraft operated by Sarah Categorical Airways crashed in southern Haiti, killing the pilot and co-pilot. In April 2022, a aircraft flying from Port-au-Prince to Jacmel crashed in Carrefour, killing all 5 folks aboard and a motorbike taxi driver on the bottom.
Air journey to and from Haiti has confronted main disruptions amid persistent gang violence.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned U.S. industrial flights to Port-au-Prince in November 2024 after a number of plane had been struck by gunfire. The restriction, prolonged a number of instances, stays in impact by way of March 7, 2026, citing continued safety dangers across the capital’s airport.
Agape Flights, based in Venice, Florida, was based in 1980 to assist Christian missionaries within the Caribbean. The group transports cargo, mail, medical provides and humanitarian support to companions in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas, significantly.
Its first flight to Haiti came about in November 1989, touchdown in Cap-Haïtien with emergency provides for missionary households, in accordance with the group.
Authorities haven’t stated when a last report on the crash could also be launched.