All 143 People On Board Survived The Runway Excursion

At approximately 9:40 p.m. Friday night, a chartered Boeing 737-800 belonging to Miami Air International arriving from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba into Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL slid off the runway into the St. Johns River.

There were 136 passengers and seven aircrew on board and all have been accounted for. Minor injuries have been reported, treated at the scene, and those requiring additional treatment were transported to a local hospital. There were no fatalities.

Navy security and emergency response personnel are on the scene and monitoring the situation, according to a news news release posted on the NAS Jacksonville Facebook page.

A Jacksonville Sheriff's Office marine unit was called to assist with the evacuation of the airplane, which came to rest in shallow water in the river and did not submerge.

Boeing posted a statement on its website concerning the incident. "A 737-800 charter flight operated by Miami Air International skidded off a runway at Naval Air Station Jacksonville (FL) and went into the St. Johns River Friday evening," the statement says.

"Boeing extends its well wishes to all those involved as 136 passengers and seven crew were reported on board.

"Boeing is providing technical assistance at the request and under the direction of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as the agency conducts its investigation.

"In accordance with the protocol governing aviation accident investigations, all inquiries about the investigation should be directed to the NTSB."

(Images provided by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov
www.miamiair.com/government.asp