Ten Aid Workers Lost, Including Five Americans

The National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team of investigators to Cabanas, Zacapa, Guatemala, to assist in the investigation of Sunday's accident in which a Cessna 208 Caravan turboprop crashed during a forced landing.

The Board says the airplane was being operated by Aereo Ruta Maya airlines. The Associated Press reports the aircraft was transporting US humanitarian workers when it crashed in a field about 60 miles east of Guatemala City.

The accident occurred about 45 minutes after takeoff. Civil Aviation director Jose Carlos said the pilots radioed the emergency and said they would try to make an emergency landing.

Authorities said eight passengers were killed, along with the plane's Guatemalan flight crew. There are at least two survivors reported, including 19-year old Sarah Jensen. She told the AP she and her family were flying to a village near El Estor, to build homes for Utah-based relief group CHOICE Humanitarian.

Jensen's brother and father were lost in the crash. Her mother was transported to a local medical facility with serious burns.

NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker has designated senior air safety investigator Luke Schiada as the US Accredited Representative on site. The US team will also include technical advisors from the FAA and the Cessna Aircraft Company.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov, www.choicehumanitarian.org