From Deseret News archives:

Guatemala plane crash kills 10 including Americans

Humanitarian group based in West Jordan

Published: Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008 3:41 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
GUATEMALA CITY — A small plane carrying U.S. humanitarian workers crashed in a field in eastern Guatemala on Sunday, killing 10 people, including five Americans, an aviation official and a survivor said.

The Cessna Caravan 208 was on route to the county of El Estor when it crashed in a field of crops about 60 miles (100 kilometers) east of Guatemala City.

The pilot called in engine trouble about 45 minutes after takeoff and tried to make an emergency landing, Civil Aviation director Jose Carlos said.

Eight passengers were killed, along with the Guatemalan pilot and co-pilot, Carlos said.

He said five of the passengers killed were Americans, but the nationalities of the other three had not been determined.

Four other Americans on board were injured and were being airlifted to a hospital in the capital. Carlos did not know the hometowns of the Americans.

Sarah Jensen, a 19-year-old who survived the crash with minor cuts and bruises, said she and her family were headed to a village in El Estor to build homes for CHOICE Humanitarian, a group based in West Jordan.

Her brother and father were killed in the crash, and her mother had serious burns and contusions. The family is from Amory, Wisconsin, Jensen told The Associated Press in a brief interview at the hospital.

Story continues below
It was unclear if the other Americans were also with CHOICE Humanitarian. The group did not return calls Sunday afternoon.

Aero Ruta Maya, the airline operating the plane, said only 12 people were on the plane, including the pilots, a discrepancy that could not immediately be resolved.

Joanne de Bickford, who said she was the daughter of the airline's owner and was helping manage the crisis, confirmed there were Americans on board. She said the airline did not know how many people died.

The army provided a list of passengers, but the names appeared to be garbled. The U.S. Embassy did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Recent comments

It's almost one year and we are missing Lydia more than words could...

Missing Lydia Silva | July 17, 2009 at 1:07 a.m.

I knew John Carter. He was a very special person and will be missed....

Valorie Thompson | May 4, 2009 at 7:03 a.m.

I tried to think long and hard of someone who didn't like jeff...and...

Anonymous | Sept. 3, 2008 at 7:28 p.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

HOW DO I GET THE CHURCH TO BUILD A TEMPLE NEXT DOOR TO MY HOUSE? THE PEOPLE...

Sorry but he will get run over by a blue freight train this Saturday!!!

Fans greet returning Real Salt Lake

Where else, but in america, can a player be called for "Attempting to...

Wildcats make FCS playoffs

As a former Tribe player who made his home in Utah, I can tell WSU what to...

Crimes up against gays, religious

funny how homosexuals have no problem telling you exactly where they stand on...

Protests against Phoenix LDS temple

RE: Common Sense Calling "Ward house" is not the same as "ward." You can...

Bronco, Kyle rubber match

No, the biggest difference between the 2004 Utah team and the 1984 Utah team...

Protests against Phoenix LDS temple

"They're worried about traffic and crowds, and there are plenty of both...

Jorgensen and Lamb get reprimanded for telling the truth? yet a soccer girl...

Bronco, Kyle rubber match

1984 was also the year that "The Love Boat" was the number 1 show on...

Advertisements