2 bodies recovered in Texas cargo plane crash; surveillance video shows "steep descent," NTSB says
By Peter Martinez
/ CBS News
At least two bodies have been recovered Sunday at the site where a twin-engine cargo plane carrying three people crashed into a bay east of Houston, according Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne. The Boeing 767-300 plane, operated by Atlas Air Inc., originated from Miami International Airport and lost radio contact approximately 30 miles southeast of Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Officials said surveillance video shows the plane for five seconds "in a steep descent with its nose down."
CBS News learned moments after a Sunday press briefing that Mesa Airlines confirmed one of its employees was onboard Atlas Air Flight 3581 on Saturday, identified as Captain Sean Archuleta, who had been a pilot for Mesa since 2013 and had been riding in the aircraft's jump seat.
"This is a sad day for the entire Mesa Family as we mourn the loss of Captain Sean Archuleta," said Jonathan Ornstein, the company's chairman and chief executive officer. "Our thoughts are with Sean's family, the families of the two Atlas Air pilots, and the whole Atlas Air organization. This is a loss for all of aviation."
The identity of the other two victims was not made immediately clear.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said in Sunday's briefing that finding the plane's black boxes are a "high priority" as investigators search through the debris field. NTSB chairman Robert Sumwalt said they are having trouble locating the black boxes because they are apparently submerged too far in the muddy bay for their location to be tracked using their "pingers." He explained scuba divers, teams wading in the water or dredging will be used if needed.
NTSB said video footage of the plane prior to the crash — captured by a camera from a jail about a mile away — won't be made public for quite some time as the investigation continues.
Video from CBS affiliate KHOU-TV showed wreckage in the shallow water of Trinity Bay. There was rain in the area when air traffic control lost contact with the plane.
The cargo plane had been carrying packages for Amazon's Prime Air service. It was on approach to Houston's airport when air traffic controllers warned the pilots they were approaching bad weather.
Saturday, Boeing tweeted a statement saying it was aware of the crash and "gathering more information."
Jason Campbell was one of the civilian boaters at the site of the crash Saturday and described the grim scene.
"Pieces of bodies, nothing bigger than … you know," Campbell told KHOU-TV. "It's obvious it's human pieces, but nothing bigger than you can hold in your hands."
Justin Carissimo and Kris Van Cleave contributed to this report.
First published on February 24, 2019 / 6:05 PM
© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Oscars 2019: Winners and highlights — live updates
The 91st annual Academy Awards kick off Sunday evening on ABC
11M ago 
2 bodies recovered from cargo plane crash in Texas
One of three victims of Saturday's crash has been identified as Captain Sean Archuleta, a pilot for Mesa Airlines since 2013
16M ago 
Pence to announce "clear actions" on Venezuela after deadly weekend clashes
Pence will travel to Bogotá, Colombia, to hold his first in-person meeting with Juan Guaidó, who the U.S. recognizes as the interim president of Venezuela
29M ago 
GOP rep deployed to border defends Trump's emergency declaration
The GOP Congressman from Illinois was deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border earlier this month with his Air National Guard unit
4H ago 
Democratic governors blast Trump's "illegal" emergency declaration
"I believe under our current system of democracy this action by this president is illegal and unconstitutional," Gov. Jay Inslee said
4H ago 
Pence to announce "clear actions" on Venezuela after deadly weekend clashes
Pence will travel to Bogotá, Colombia, to hold his first in-person meeting with Juan Guaidó, who the U.S. recognizes as the interim president of Venezuela
29M ago
GOP rep deployed to border defends Trump's emergency declaration
The GOP Congressman from Illinois was deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border earlier this month with his Air National Guard unit
4H ago
Democratic governors blast Trump's "illegal" emergency declaration
"I believe under our current system of democracy this action by this president is illegal and unconstitutional," Gov. Jay Inslee said
4H ago 
Markey: Congress should fight to release Mueller report if DOJ "sanitizes" it
The Massachusetts Democrat said the American people need to know whether Trump's 2016 campaign colluded with the Kremlin
5H ago 
Blunt: Senate Intel wants to see Mueller report before concluding probe
The Missouri Republican said the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence needs access to Mueller's investigation before issuing a final report
6H ago
Pence to announce "clear actions" on Venezuela after deadly weekend clashes
Pence will travel to Bogotá, Colombia, to hold his first in-person meeting with Juan Guaidó, who the U.S. recognizes as the interim president of Venezuela
29M ago 
Kim Jong Un leaves on train for Vietnam summit
TV footage and photos distributed by the North's state-run news agency showed Kim inspecting a guard of honor at the Pyongyang station before waving from the train
18H ago 
Puerto Rico governor: Venezuela threatened U.S.-financed ship
The ship carrying humanitarian aid for Venezuela was dispatched and financed by Puerto Rico's government
22H ago 
Venezuelan soldiers unleash tear gas as tensions rise over blocked aid
Opposition leader Juan Guaido has vowed to bring aid into the country over objections from President Nicolas Maduro
Feb 23 
At least 93 people have died after drinking tainted liquor in India
The liquor was laced with methyl alcohol, which attacks the central nervous system
Feb 23
Oscars 2019: Winners and highlights — live updates
The 91st annual Academy Awards kick off Sunday evening on ABC
11M ago 
Download Oscar ballot for your office pool or party
Planning an Academy Award office pool, or an Oscar-watching party? Download our ballot of nominees (PDF)
5H ago 
Oscars 2019: How to stream online or watch on TV
The Oscars ceremony will begin at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT)
5H ago 
David Edelstein's Oscar picks
Our film critic makes his predictions for this year's Academy Awards, in particular that it will more bad fun than any Oscar show in years
8H ago 
Frank talk with Angie Dickinson
The actress known for "Police Woman" and for hanging with the Rat Pack speaks up about Sinatra, JFK, and the #MeToo movement
8H ago 
Horrified mom discovers suicide instructions on YouTube Kids
She has made it her mission to bring awareness to disturbing and violent content being consumed by children on social media
Feb 23 
Microsoft workers protest use of HoloLens headsets for war
They say they "refuse to create technology for warfare and oppression"
Feb 23 
I opened an email from a "friend." It turned out to be a trick — and dangerous
The email had her photo and mentioned personal details only she would know
Feb 23 
NASA, SpaceX set for critical test flight
Test flight intended to clear the way for summer resumption of piloted space missions from U.S. soil
Feb 22 
American, Singapore Airlines have cameras in seat backs
Newer entertainment systems on some American Airlines and Singapore Airlines planes can monitor passengers
Feb 22 
Company may have leaked carcinogen into air for years
Breathing in high concentrations of the chemical TCE has been linked to kidney cancer, liver cancer and lymphoma
Feb 22 
Child dies a day after flu diagnosis
41 children have died from flu-related causes this flu season, including a fourth-grader who died just one day after being diagnosed
Feb 22 
Woman dies after eating at Michelin-starred restaurant
One woman died and 28 other diners have fallen ill after eating at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Valencia, Spain
Feb 22 
FDA warns about potentially harmful dietary supplements
Americans spent more than $40 billion on supplements last year, with 3 out of 4 people regularly taking them
Feb 22 
"Heartless": Hospital and doctor accused of giving lethal doses of fentanyl
CBS News spoke with five people who said their family members died while under Dr. William Husel's care at Mount Carmel Hospital
Feb 22 
Getting houses ready for their closeup
Home stylist Meridith Baer has the touch – and a proven track record – for staging homes on the market
8H ago
I opened an email from a "friend." It turned out to be a trick — and dangerous
The email had her photo and mentioned personal details only she would know
Feb 23 
Oscar win for Roma not a happy ending for cinemas
Theaters are struggling as streamers claim audiences and traditional Hollywood studios play catch up
Feb 22 
Chevy Volt discontinued: Chevrolet's last Volt rolls off the assembly line
The last Chevrolet Volt was built on Tuesday, ending a decade-long quest to make a breakthrough battery-powered car
Feb 22
American, Singapore Airlines have cameras in seat backs
Newer entertainment systems on some American Airlines and Singapore Airlines planes can monitor passengers
Feb 22 
Could a new Calif. law free a convicted killer when he turns 25?
When an elderly couple was found brutally murdered in their bed – stabbed 128 times — police faced the coldest killer they’d ever encountered … and he was just 15
19H ago 
Was a Virginia teen lured to her death through a smartphone app?
Two promising college students stand trial in the girl’s 2016 death
20H ago 
Prosecutor outlines sex abuse allegations against R. Kelly
Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx described the allegations involving four women
Feb 23 
R. Kelly bond set at $1 million on sexual abuse charges
The bail amount equals $250,000 for each of the four people Kelly is charged with abusing
Feb 23 
Calif. governor orders more DNA testing in 1983 murders
Kevin Cooper, who has been on Death Row, has said he was framed for the hatchet and knife killings of four people, including two children, in Chino Hills
Feb 22 Original Article
