A Fokker 50 passenger aircraft operated by Air Panama, en route from Panama City to Bocas del Toro, veered off the runway during landing on the night of 17 May and sustained significant damage. All 35 passengers and 3 crew members on board survived the incident without injury.
The aircraft involved in the accident, registered as HP-1899PST and operating flight 7P-982 for one of Panama’s leading regional carriers, Air Panama, overran Runway 27 at Bocas del Toro Airport at 22:01 local time (03:01 UTC) on 17 May 2025, resulting in a runway excursion.
Ran Off the Runway and Stopped in Vegetation
After landing, the aircraft travelled approximately 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) along the runway before veering off for reasons yet to be determined. It came to a halt in the surrounding vegetation. No injuries were reported, but initial assessments suggest the aircraft sustained irreparable damage.
AAC: No Injuries, Investigation Underway
The Panamanian Civil Aviation Authority (AAC) confirmed in an official statement that all 35 passengers and 3 crew members escaped the incident unharmed. The event occurred at 22:01 local time, and a comprehensive investigation into the accident has been launched.
Aircraft Details
The aircraft involved was a Fokker 50, a regional turboprop widely used for short-haul flights and known for its ability to operate on short runways. However, the runway length and environmental conditions at Bocas del Toro Airport have raised questions about possible contributing factors to the accident.
