Cause of Plane Crash that Killed Aurelio Martinez Revealed

At least 12 people, including renowned Honduran musician Aurelio Martinez, lost their lives Monday evening when a small passenger plane crashed into the Caribbean Sea shortly after takeoff from Roatán, a popular tourist destination.

The Lanhsa Airlines Jetstream 41 aircraft had just departed at nightfall, bound for the mainland port of La Ceiba, when it veered sharply to the right of the runway and plunged into the water, according to civil aviation official Carlos Padilla.

Dramatic footage shared by the Honduran national police showed emergency responders carrying an injured passenger on a stretcher over jagged rocks along the shoreline.

Roatán fire captain Franklin Borjas said the survivors were rushed to a nearby hospital. He described the rescue operation as challenging due to the crash site’s difficult terrain.

Martinez, widely recognised for his mastery of punta rock, was a central figure in the La Ceiba music scene. He founded the Lita Ariran ensemble, one of the first Garifuna groups to gain international recognition, according to the Kennedy Center.

According to police, the crash occurred about half a mile from Roatán’s coast and was attributed to an “apparent mechanical failure” on the British-made Jetstream 41 aircraft.

In response to the tragedy, Honduran President Xiomara Castro announced that she had “immediately activated” an emergency response committee consisting of the armed forces, firefighters, and other agencies to assist with rescue and recovery efforts.

In a statement on X, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Martínez, describing him as a great friend of Belize and a dedicated champion of Garífuna culture and music.

“Aurelio was a great friend of Belize and a true champion of Garífuna culture and music. As a renowned Garífuna musician, Aurelio was a powerful voice in preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Garinagu people,” the statement noted.

Martínez, alongside Belizean music legends Andy Palacio and Paul Nabor, played a crucial role in bringing Garífuna music to the global stage, earning international recognition for its unique rhythms and storytelling traditions