The pilot and passengers were captured making their way to the shore after the Cessna 402B aircraft ditched in the ocean off the coast of Haiti yesterday
Terrified passengers were forced to swim ashore after their plane ditched in the sea off the coast of Haiti.
The Cessna 402B aircraft was flying from Cap-Haïtien to the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, when it carried out an emergency water landing shortly before midday on Wednesday.
The twin-engine turboprop aircraft came down in coastal waters near Lafiteau. The plane, registration number HI-1056, is operated by ZED Airlines as flight 6502.
The pilot and two passengers safely escaped the aircraft after it ditched in the sea and were pictured swimming ashore, where they received immediate assistance.
A spokesperson for Haitian carrier ZED Airlines said the occupants expressed relief that there were “no human losses to regret”.
Footage showed the aircraft in the water close to Ibo Beach, with the passengers wading through the shallow Caribbean waters towards the shore.
Emergency services attended the trio, who are said to be in a stable condition.
A full inquiry has been launched by aviation authorities and the airline’s technical team, with no initial details released on any possible mechanical failure. The condition of the aircraft, built in 1972, is still being assessed.
ZED Airlines said passenger safety was its absolute priority and promised further updates would be issued in due course.
They said the incident ended without tragedy thanks to the pilot’s expert handling and swift response on the ground.
The investigation continues.
