SKY Bahamas CEO Captain Randy Butler was thankful that the 21 passengers and three crew were able to walk away from a crash landing in Marsh Harbour, Abaco yesterday. Only one passenger was taken to the government clinic to be treated for minor injuries.

The 34-seater Saab 340 reportedly landed very hard on the runway, during a torrential rainstorm around 2pm. According to passengers, the airplane bounced off the tarmac three times before the right wing and the landing gear broke and what appeared to be fuel poured onto the wing and caught fire.

Several passengers and onlookers applauded the quick thinking of the pilot who, as soon as the wing broke, cut power to the engines and turned on the foam extinguishing system. Between the foam and the heavy rain the fire was quickly extinguished.

“I am thankful for the many people that were praying and I am thankful for all the wonderful people that did a good job and more than thankful that nobody got hurt,” Captain Butler said yesterday.

According to Keith Major, Chief Operations Officer at the Department of Civil Aviation, the Marsh Harbour International Airport will be closed until the plane is removed and the damage to the runway is repaired. At present there is not a time frame on when that will be.

Traumatized passengers were helped by emergency response personnel and were eventually reunited in tearful but thankful embraces with waiting family members.

Investigation into the cause is underway.

Meanwhile the Treasure Cay airport is open to air traffic.