What Led to the Galveston Bay Disaster? A Look at Flight ANX-1209
On the afternoon of Monday, December 22, 2025, a mission of mercy ended in tragedy when a Mexican Navy aircraft crashed into the shallow waters of Galveston Bay. The incident, which occurred during a period of dense coastal fog, has claimed the lives of at least five people and left a community in mourning.
The Flight Mission
The aircraft, a Beechcraft Super King Air 350 (Flight ANX-1209), was operating on a humanitarian medical mission. It had departed from Merida International Airport in Mexico, bound for Scholes International Airport in Galveston.
Onboard were eight individuals:
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Four Mexican Navy officers (crew members).
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Four civilians, including two representatives from the Michou y Mau Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting Mexican children with severe burns.
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A pediatric burn patient (a 2-year-old child) is being transported for specialized care at Shriners Children’s Texas.
The Incident
At approximately 3:15 p.m. local time, the plane went down just west of the Galveston Causeway, which connects the island to the Texas mainland. At the time of the approach, local meteorologists reported “near-zero” visibility due to a thick blanket of fog rolling across the bay.
Local authorities and civilian volunteers rushed to the scene. Sky Decker, a local yacht captain, described a harrowing rescue effort where he found the plane nearly submerged in four to five feet of water. He was able to pull a woman alive from the wreckage, who had been breathing through a tiny “three-inch air gap” amidst jet fuel fumes and rising water.
Casualties and Survivors
As of December 23, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Mexican Navy have confirmed the following:
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Fatalities: 5 confirmed dead, including the 2-year-old child.
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Survivors: 2 individuals were rescued and transported to local medical centers. One survivor, a 27-year-old woman, was reportedly uninjured.
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Missing: 1 individual remains unaccounted for, and search operations continue in the debris field.
Agencies Involved in the Response
| Agency | Role |
| U.S. Coast Guard | Lead on Search and Rescue / Investigation |
| Mexican Navy (SEMAR) | Coordination and casualty notification |
| NTSB & FAA | Technical accident investigation |
| Galveston Sheriff’s Office | Dive team and drone support |
Investigation Status
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have arrived on-site to begin the formal investigation. While the heavy fog is a primary “critical factor” being reviewed, investigators will also examine the aircraft’s maintenance records and communication logs to determine if mechanical failure or pilot disorientation contributed to the “accident during approach.”
The Michou y Mau Foundation released a statement expressing “deep solidarity with the families,” reaffirming their commitment to helping burn victims despite this devastating setback.