Passengers forced to swim to shore after plane makes emergency landing

Frightened passengers had to swim ashore after a plane crashed into the sea during an emergency landing.

The Cessna 402B was operating a scheduled domestic flight when the pilot performed a water landing shortly before midday on Wednesday.

The pilot and two passengers exited the light aircraft safely after crash-landing in the sea. They swam to shore and were able to get help immediately.

A spokesperson for Haitian carrier ZED Airlines said they were relieved that no one died.

The Dominican-registered plane was flying a domestic route within Haiti at the time.

The twin-engine turboprop, registration HI-1056 and operated by ZED Airlines on flight 6502, came down in coastal waters near Lafiteau in Haiti.

It had departed Cap-Haitien bound for the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. Footage showed the aircraft in the water close to Ibo Beach, with the passengers wading through the shallows towards the shore.

Local responders assisted the survivors, who are reported to be in a stable condition.

Aviation authorities and the airline’s technical team have launched a full inquiry, with no initial details released on a possible mechanical failure.

The 1972-built aircraft’s condition is still being assessed.

ZED Airlines described passenger and crew safety as its absolute priority and said further updates would be issued in due course.

They said the incident ended without tragedy thanks to the pilot’s expert handling and swift response on the ground. The investigation continues.

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