An investigation is underway to what caused an airplane to slide off the runway in Jacksonville, Florida. There were bad thunderstorms at the time. The Florida Times-Union writes:
Base officials say the incident occurred about 9:40 p.m. when a Boeing 737-800 arriving from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in Cuba slid into the St. Johns River at the end of NAS Jacksonville’s runway.
There were 136 passengers and seven air crew on board, all accounted for as Navy security and emergency response personnel remained on the scene to monitor the situation, base officials reported.
Fire department spokesman Tom Francis identified the Boeing 737 as a chartered aircraft from Miami Air International, and said rescue units transported 21 adults from the site to area hospitals.
WJXT Jacksonville adds:
The plane was carrying military personnel headed home, on vacation, or to get medical care. It included families, civilians, grandparents and children — all connected to the military.
“The plane shook and something felt off… It didn’t feel right… You could tell the pilot had lost complete control… it was terrifying.”
Passenger who was on Boeing 737 that skidded into the St. Johns River in Florida describes the harrowing landing and exit from the plane. pic.twitter.com/w6o8BiKAlL
— CNN Tonight (@CNNTonight) May 4, 2019
There were only a couple of minor injuries. But there is some tragic news. There were reportedly pets in the checked luggage compartment. They are believed to have drowned.
Watch more from CBS above.