SABA--The small FedEx aircraft, which crashed just off Fort Bay on Wednesday, is owned by the global courier delivery services company headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, but was operated by Mountain Air Cargo (MAC).
The FedEx plane was on its way from Puerto Rico to St. Kitts when the pilot attempted to make an emergency landing. The pilot attempted to land on Saba, but was unable to do so and crashed in the coastal waters as he attempted to circle and land at Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport at approximately 12.10pm.
After being rescued, the pilot was transported to A.M. Edwards Medical Center and then to St. Maarten Medical Center. He was found in stable condition, but had a broken hand.
Attempts to salvage the Cessna C208 Grand Caravan aircraft proved futile as it had quickly sank in approximately 1,500 feet of water.
The aircraft was operated by American cargo airline MAC, Curaçao Chronicle reported. The airliner is based in Denver, North Carolina. The company is a major contract carrier for FedEx, operating in the eastern United States and the Caribbean.
All of the ATR and C208 aircraft operated by Mountain Air are owned by FedEx, and are operated by MAC on a "dry-lease" basis.
