KINGSTON, JAMAICA — A private aircraft believed to be involved in post-hurricane relief efforts has reportedly crashed after making multiple undocumented entries into Jamaica, raising questions about flight clearance protocols in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
Transport Minister Daryl Vaz confirmed Monday that the aircraft in question—registered as N30HG—never received formal approval to land in the country. An initial request to land at Montego Bay’s IAM Jet Centre was submitted via email on November 10, but authorities say the process was never completed.
“The IAM Jet Centre responded to the applicant outlining the conditions required for a landing permit,” Vaz said in a statement. “No further communication was received, and as such, no landing clearance was granted.”
Despite the lack of official authorization, the aircraft reportedly conducted two prior trips to Jamaica after the storm, entering via the Cayman Islands. Vaz indicated that the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority’s (JCAA) Navigational Services Division had been tracking the plane and confirmed its activity post-Melissa.
Tragedy struck Monday morning when the same aircraft departed Florida and crashed en route to the Caribbean. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear, and Jamaican authorities are awaiting additional information from their U.S. counterparts. Details on the individuals onboard and the nature of the cargo are yet to be confirmed.
As the investigation unfolds, the incident underscores concerns about aviation oversight during emergency response operations. While officials acknowledged the urgency of hurricane relief efforts, the transport ministry emphasized the importance of adhering to aviation clearance protocols—particularly when entering sovereign airspace under post-disaster conditions.
