This article summarizes reporting by Reuters and official statements from the Mexican Navy (SEMAR).

Five Dead in Mexican Navy Medical Evacuation Crash in Galveston Bay

A humanitarian mission to transport a pediatric burn patient to specialized care ended in tragedy on Monday afternoon when a Mexican Navy Military-Aircraft crashed into Galveston Bay, Texas. According to reporting by Reuters and official statements from the Mexican Navy (Secretaría de Marina, SEMAR), five people have been confirmed dead, including the young patient and a medical doctor. One service member remains missing and is presumed deceased, while two individuals survived the impact.

The crash occurred on December 22, 2025, at approximately 3:17 PM CST, as the aircraft approached Scholes International Airports. The flight, operated by the Mexican Navy, was coordinating with the Michou and Mau Foundation to transfer a child suffering from severe burns from Mérida, Mexico, to Shriners Children’s Texas hospital. Heavy fog was reported in the area at the time, significantly reducing visibility and complicating immediate rescue efforts.

At AirPro News, we are tracking the Investigation into this incident, which highlights the inherent risks of critical care air transport operations conducted under adverse weather conditions.

Incident Details and Flight Context

The aircraft involved was a Beechcraft Super King Air 350, bearing the registration ANX-1209. It departed from Mérida International Airport in Yucatán earlier that day. The flight path took the crew over the Gulf of Mexico, destined for Galveston, where specialized medical teams were waiting.

According to local authorities and eyewitness accounts cited in reports, the plane went down in waters approximately 4 to 5 feet deep, just west of the Galveston Causeway. This location is roughly 50 miles southeast of Houston. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were described as severe, with heavy sea fog limiting visibility to between a quarter and a half-mile.

Rescue Operations

Despite the challenging conditions, first responders and local civilians acted quickly. Reports indicate that a local yacht captain, Sky Decker, was among the first on the scene. Navigating through the dense fog with police officers, Decker reportedly entered the water to assist in the rescue. He described finding a female survivor trapped in the wreckage with minimal air space remaining.

The U.S. Coast Guard, Galveston Police, Galveston Fire Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety launched a multi-agency response. While two survivors were pulled from the wreckage, the recovery operation for the remaining occupants transitioned into a grim search for the deceased.

Victims and Survivors

The Mexican Navy has released the identities of those on board. The casualty list includes both military personnel and civilians associated with the medical transfer.

Confirmed Fatalities

Five individuals have been confirmed dead following the crash:

• Federico Efraín Ramírez Cruz: The pediatric patient, identified in widespread reports as a 2-year-old boy, who was being transported for urgent burn care.
• Dr. Juan Alfonso Adame González: The attending medical doctor accompanying the patient.
• Lt. JG Víctor Rafael Pérez Hernández: A Mexican Navy pilot and officer.
• Lt. JG Juan Iván Zaragoza Flores: A Mexican Navy pilot and officer.
• Seaman Guadalupe Flores Barranco: A Mexican Navy crew member.

Missing and Presumed Deceased

As of the latest updates, Lt. JG Luis Enrique Castillo Terrones remains missing. Given the duration of the search and the condition of the wreckage, authorities have stated he is presumed dead.

Survivors

Two women survived the crash. Julia Aracelis Cruz Vera, identified as the patient’s companion and likely a family member, was rescued and reported to be uninjured. Miriam de Jesús Rosas Mancilla, a nurse, was hospitalized in stable condition.

Investigation and Official Statements

The investigation is being led by U.S. authorities, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), with the Mexican Navy conducting a parallel internal inquiry. Investigators are currently gathering data to determine the cause of the crash, with early attention focused on the heavy fog present during the approach.

In a statement, the Mexican Navy expressed deep regret over the loss of life. According to their official release:

“The aircraft was on a humanitarian mission focused on specialized medical transport.”

, Mexican Navy (SEMAR)

The Michou and Mau Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting Mexican children with severe burns, expressed their solidarity with the victims’ families. Shriners Children’s Texas also confirmed they had been expecting the patient but directed all further inquiries to military authorities.

AirPro News Analysis

The Risks of Medical Evacuation Flights

While the specific cause of the ANX-1209 crash remains under investigation, this tragedy underscores the high-stakes nature of air ambulance and medical evacuation flights. Unlike standard commercial operations, medical flights often operate under immense pressure to complete their missions due to the critical condition of the patients on board. This “mission mindset” can sometimes complicate decision-making regarding weather minimums and instrument approaches.

The Beechcraft Super King Air 350 is a robust platform widely used for government and medical transport duties globally. However, approach and landing phases in low-visibility maritime environments, such as the fog reported over Galveston Bay, remain statistically the most dangerous portions of any flight. As the NTSB reviews the cockpit voice recorder and flight data, a key focus will likely be on the crew’s decision-making process during the final approach into Scholes International Airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the crash?

The official cause has not yet been determined. However, heavy fog and low visibility were reported in the area at the time of the accident. The NTSB and FAA are investigating.

Who was on board the aircraft?

There were eight people on board: four Mexican Navy personnel and four civilians. The civilians included the patient, a family member, a doctor, and a nurse.

Was the patient admitted to the hospital?

Tragically, the patient, a young child, died in the crash before reaching the hospital.

Sources

• Reuters
• Mexican Navy (SEMAR)
• U.S. Coast Guard