Quick Read
- Agape Flights, a Venice, Florida-based nonprofit, confirmed no survivors in a Haiti plane crash.
- The 1980 Embraer 110 aircraft lost radar contact on Thursday, with wreckage found Friday in mountainous terrain.
- Agape Flights CEO Allen Speer expressed profound sorrow for the pilots’ families.
- Challenging meteorological conditions, including a cold front, were present during the incident.
- The organization, founded in 1980, operates from Venice Municipal Airport and provides humanitarian aid across the Caribbean.
VENICE (Azat TV) – Agape Flights, a Venice, Florida-based nonprofit organization, has confirmed the tragic news that there were no survivors from a plane crash that occurred in western Haiti. The organization announced the devastating update on Friday, February 7, 2026, after search teams located the wreckage in a remote mountainous area. The twin-engine turboprop aircraft had lost contact with radar on Thursday afternoon while conducting operations in the region.
Allen Speer, CEO of Agape Flights, shared the profound sorrow felt by the organization in a heartfelt video posted on social media. “Our hearts are broken. We grieve deeply for the families of the pilots who are now enduring an unimaginable loss,” Speer stated. The incident has cast a shadow over the entire Agape community, which has a long history of providing crucial humanitarian assistance throughout the Caribbean.
Haitian Mountains Wreckage Confirmed
Search and rescue efforts, which had continued throughout the night, culminated in the discovery of the aircraft’s wreckage in a challenging mountainous region. While the exact cause of the disappearance remains under investigation, meteorological conditions were severe in Haiti at the time of the crash. Local meteorologist Bob Harrigan noted that a cold front was moving through the Caribbean, a typical occurrence with about 12 such fronts affecting Haiti and the Dominican Republic each season. Satellite imagery from Thursday indicated a storm system developing in eastern Cuba, coinciding with the plane’s last known contact. The mountainous terrain near Jeremie, reaching nearly 7,000 feet, is known to produce turbulence that can complicate flight operations.
The aircraft involved was a 1980 Embraer 110, registered as N316AF and commonly known as the Bandeirante. This model is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft recognized for its reliability and its capacity to carry approximately 3,000 pounds of cargo. Dan Diggins, a retired commercial pilot and former FAA air safety investigator, commented on the plane’s generally strong performance across various weather conditions. Agape Flights has not yet released specific details regarding the number of individuals on board, the flight’s intended destination, or whether a distress signal was emitted prior to the loss of contact, citing privacy and dignity considerations for the affected families.
Agape Flights’ Humanitarian Work from Venice
Founded in 1980, Agape Flights operates from Venice Municipal Airport in Florida. The organization supports approximately 300 missionary families and various ministries across Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas. Its vital work includes facilitating resources for agriculture, athletics, clean water initiatives, education, medical and dental care, and orphan care. The charity began its missions with a small Cessna, delivering emergency supplies and mail to Haitian communities, and has since grown to become a pivotal resource in enhancing living conditions through numerous outreach programs.
Over the years, Agape Flights has navigated various challenges, including periods of civil unrest in Haiti that have impacted its operations. Congressman Greg Steube shared his support online, emphasizing the organization’s significant role within the Southwest Florida community and its broader humanitarian mission. The charity highlights its dedication to sharing love and support, which is essential in assisting many people across the regions it serves.
Community Mourns as Questions Remain for Agape Flights
As the community mourns the profound loss, Agape Flights has called for prayers for the pilots’ families and for the entire organization as they navigate this heartbreaking situation. The search for answers continues as authorities investigate the precise circumstances surrounding the crash. The organization respectfully requests privacy for the families affected during this difficult time, choosing to withhold further details to maintain their dignity.
The incident underscores the inherent risks faced by humanitarian organizations operating in challenging environments, highlighting the critical role of organizations like Agape Flights while also prompting questions about flight safety protocols amidst adverse weather and rugged terrain.