Cargo crash

Cargo aircraft crashes after takeoff from St Maarten

A Short 360 cargo aircraft operated by SkyWay Enterprises crashed shortly after departing St Maarten-Princess Juliana International airport on 29 October, killing at least one of two pilots, according to a US Federal Aviation Administration accident report.

The aircraft, registration number N380MQ, was operating flight SKZ7101 from Philipsburg on St Maarten to San Juan, according to reports and the FAA.

It crashed into the ocean about 3.2km (2mi) from the airport, the FAA says.

There were two pilots on the aircraft. The body of the first officer was found, while the other pilot remained missing as of Wednesday, according to reports.

An employee who answered the telephone at SkyWay's Kissimmee, Florida, headquarters late in the day on 30 October says he is not authorised to comment about the matter, adding that no other company officials were currently available to speak.

SkyWay's fleet includes six Short aircraft, one McDonnell Douglas DC-9 and one Learjet 24, Flightglobal's Ascend Fleets database shows.

The aircraft that crashed, N380MQ, was built in 1986 and powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprops. It was formerly operated by American Eagle carriers Simmons Airlines and Executive Airlines, according to Ascend.