Guide Note

A jetliner plane from Los Angeles, California overshot the runway and crashed in Honduras on May 30, 2008. There were 140 people on the plane. At least 65 people were seriously injured, and four people are confirmed dead. After the crash, thousands of gallons of jet fuel spilled onto the runway and crews frantically hosed down the plane so it would not catch on fire.

Fast Facts

1. The pilot and two passengers accounted for three of the four dead
2. A nearby motorist was the fourth person that was killed
3. The plane landed in the middle of the runway, but should have landed at the beginning

There was no official reason why the crash occurred, but it could have been caused by the weather or the Toncontin International Airport short runways. Officials acknowledged that the airports' runways are extremely short and pose a challenge to many of the pilots.