According to a report from the emergency monitoring department of the Costa Rican Red Cross, several emergency calls were received at approximately 8:30 a.m. reporting that a small aircraft had crashed into an empty lot near the cemetery in the district of La Fortuna.

In coordination with the Costa Rican Fire Department, three rescue units were dispatched. When responders arrived minutes later, they found the wreckage of a destroyed Cessna 206 aircraft bearing the registration TI-GRE.

Authorities said the aircraft had taken off only minutes earlier from the Arenal Local Airport, which serves the San Carlos area and currently offers daily flights to Costa Rica’s Pacific coast and to San José.

Investigators said the aircraft reportedly lost altitude shortly after takeoff before crashing.

Red Cross officials said the two passengers, Pecoraro and his son, were found lying on the ground after nearby residents helped them exit the aircraft. Solano, the pilot, remained inside the plane because his leg had become trapped in the twisted metal of the cockpit.

Rescue crews later freed the pilot, and all three survivors were transported in stable condition to the San Carlos Public Hospital. Solano-Brenes suffered a fractured leg, while Pecoraro and his son sustained multiple contusions, rescuers said.

Police officers secured the area and remained at the crash site to monitor and guard the location until the aircraft’s owners arrived.

Authorities expect the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) to open an investigation into the cause of the crash in the coming days.

The DGAC is the technical and administrative authority within the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT). The agency is responsible for planning, regulating and supervising civil aviation activities in the country and works to ensure operational safety, efficiency and compliance with international aviation standards across Costa Rica’s airports and airspace.

According to the United States Embassy in Costa Rica, when a U.S. citizen becomes ill or is seriously injured abroad, a consular officer can assist in locating appropriate medical services and notifying family or friends.

“If necessary, a consular officer can also assist in the transfer of funds from the United States,” the embassy said on its website. “However, payment of hospital and other expenses is the responsibility of the traveler.”

U.S. authorities strongly encourage citizens to obtain travel insurance before traveling to Costa Rica.

“Many health insurance plans do not provide coverage overseas. Those that do may cover customary and reasonable hospital costs abroad but may not pay for medical evacuation back to the United States, which can cost $10,000 or more depending on your location and medical condition,” authorities added.

The embassy also noted that the Medicare program does not provide coverage for hospital or medical expenses outside the United States.

“Many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service,” authorities said. “Uninsured patients may be refused service.”

The embassy added that countries with socialized medicine may not provide full services to nonresidents, and some countries require tourists to carry accident or travel insurance.