JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After a plane skidded off the runway Friday night at NAS Jax, all 143 people on board were accounted for -- however, officials say there are still some pets on board that have not yet been retrieved.
The incident happened at about 9:40 p.m. Friday, as a Miami Air flight arriving from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba coming into Naval Air Station Jacksonville slid off the runway into the St. Johns River, according to NAS JAX.
Just got an update from @NASJax_. They are on standby until NTSB crew gets here. One investigator is onsite, others en route. PAO says they can't try to reach pets until they get the plane out of the water. It's not safe. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/VfOC2v7CB9
— Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) May 4, 2019
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Officials said when crews first responded, human life was first priority. NAS Jax said crews checked the cargo bay for pets and did not see -- or hear -- animals or crates. They retreated because it was unsafe. They looked a second time and did not see any pet carriers above water line.
BREAKING UPDATE ON PETS on Miami Air Flight: Officials say human life was 1st priority. NASJAX says crews checked cargo bay for pets & did not see, hear animals or crates. They retreated because it was unsafe. They looked 2nd time & did not see any pet carriers ABOVE water line.
— Tenikka Smith Hughes (@TenikkaANjax) May 4, 2019
NAS Jax said it is waiting on investigators to arrive to check on pets. They have to determine if it’s safe to enter. The National Transportation Safety Board has a "go team" investigating the crash.
STORY: Jacksonville has had two previous commercial plane crashes
NAS JAX said there were 136 passengers and seven aircrews, making a total of 143 on board the Boeing 737. Everyone was accounted for and at least 19 people were treated at local hospitals.
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NAS Jax says it’s waiting on investigators to arrive to check on pets. They have to determine if it’s safe to enter. @NTSB arriving around noon. Can’t even imagine being one of those pet owners. 😔 @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/zyvZ75RJoO
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) May 4, 2019
A source initially told Action News Jax's Russell Colburn that two dogs and one cat were not accounted for. Action News Jax is still working to confirm if that is still the case.
.@JFRDJAX Chief at staging area last night told myself & @WJXTvic there were two dogs & 1 cat that were not accounted for. There could be an update since that was around 10:30pm Friday, but that’s what we were told. @ActionNewsJax
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) May 4, 2019
The aircraft has to be moved out of the water to get to the pets on board. NAS Jax said it is still waiting on more National Transportation Safety Board investigators to arrive. The manifest stated that there were four pets on board, but that could have changed at the last minute.
NAS Jax PAO says the flight manifest listed 4 pets but that number could've changed last minute @ActionNewsJax https://t.co/aKdOGaEzmY
— Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) May 4, 2019
Michelle Gilliam, a spokesperson for Clay Humane, said the main concerns about the animals still on the plane is the possibility for hypothermia if they've been in the water, any injuries they sustained during landing or even the possibility that they have drowned.
Gilliam said time is of the essence in a situation like this and the goal is to get the animals off the plane and get them medical care as soon as possible.
Clay Humane is offering assistance to the animals, as they can help check for injuries and care for them. They are offering support to families during this tough time.
NAS Jax tells me they’re hoping to get at the pets still in the plane now that it’s daylight. Unfortunately, base rep wasn’t optimistic they made it, but we’ve already had miracles here! @ActionNewsJax @CourtneyANJax @AliciaANJax @LorenaANjax @DawnANjax @PascaleHead
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) May 4, 2019
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