An Agape Flights Embraer 110 aircraft operated by the Florida-based missions organization has been confirmed lost following a crash in mountainous terrain in Haiti, bringing a tragic end to an overnight search and rescue effort and sending shockwaves through the close-knit aviation ministry community.
Agape Flights CEO Allen Speer delivered the confirmation in a somber update on Friday, 6 February, stating that the organization has confirmed that there were no survivors. The aircraft, an Embraer 110 Bandeirante registered as N316AF, was operating a mission flight when contact was lost on Thursday afternoon, 5 February.
“Today is a day none of us ever imagined having to stand before you like this,” Speer said in a message posted on Agape’s YouTube and social media pages. “It’s with heavy hearts that we want to share an update that has shaken our entire Agape Flights community.”
According to Speer, the aircraft dropped off radar over Jérémie, Haiti, prompting an extensive search and rescue operation that continued through the night and into Friday. The wreckage was ultimately located in the mountainous terrain to the southeast of Jérémie, and while the cause of the crash remains unknown, the outcome is now tragically clear.
We do not believe that there were any survivors. Our hearts are broken.
Allen Speer | Agape Flights CEO
“What we do know and what we share with you is profound sorrow,” Speer said. “We do not believe that there were any survivors. Our hearts are broken.”
One week after the tragedy, Agape Flights posted an emotional tribute on social media, identifying the two pilots lost in the crash as Patrick Decker and Kory Elleby.
Today, our hearts are broken as we mourn the loss of two incredible men, Patrick Decker and Kory Elleby. Both faithfully answered the call God placed on their lives and gave themselves fully to it. They served with humility, loved without reservation, and ran their race with perseverance. We hold solace in the fact they were welcomed at the gates of Heaven with the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servants.” They were more than Agape Flights pilots. They were our brothers in Christ, devoted servants of God, and men who lived out their faith with sincerity and courage. Patrick Decker Patrick was first and foremost a loving and dedicated husband to Kathy for 40 beautiful years and a proud father to their two grown children. His family was the center of his world. If you knew Patrick, you knew how deeply he loved; steadily, faithfully, and without needing recognition. Service wasn’t something Patrick did. It was who he was. He flew for United Airlines for 40 years, a career that reflected both his incredible skill and his steady confidence in the cockpit. Flying was not just a job to him; it was something he truly loved. One of Patrick’s greatest joys in his final months at United was getting to fly as Captain while his son served as First Officer. Sharing the cockpit together was more than a professional milestone; it was a deeply meaningful season for both of them. To sit side by side, doing what he loved most with one of the people he loved most, was a gift Patrick treasured. After the tragedy of 9/11, Patrick was among the first pilots granted clearance to return to flying at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. That moment required courage and trust, and Patrick carried both with quiet strength. He also volunteered to be a part of a special program within the FAA, taking on the responsibility of protecting others in the face of potential danger. That was Patrick, always willing to step forward when something needed to be done. And as remarkable as his aviation career was, it was only part of his story. Patrick served as a firefighter for 50 years, including as Fire Chief for Sparta, New Jersey in 1996. For five decades, he ran toward emergencies when others were running away. He led with strength, but also with compassion. When Patrick and Kathy moved to Florida ten years ago, he did not slow down. Nine years ago, he became a volunteer pilot with Agape Flights, and he faithfully served each week in cargo as well. He was the kind of man you could always count on. If something needed fixing, organizing, or just plain doing, Patrick was there. He baked pies for Pie in the Sky. He helped a fellow volunteer install a toilet without hesitation. He showed up early. He stayed late. He never needed applause. He just loved helping. Patrick and Kathy loved to travel and ride their bikes around town. Wherever they went, joy seemed to follow. You could often hear Patrick before you saw him. His booming, unmistakable voice filling the room, usually followed by laughter. He had a presence that made you feel safe, welcomed, and included. We will miss him more than we can put into words. Patrick lived a life that mattered. Not because of titles or accomplishments, though there were many, but because of the way he showed up for people. He served faithfully. He loved deeply. He gave generously of his time, his strength, and his heart. And that kind of life leaves a mark that will never fade. Kory Elleby Kory was a devoted husband, a loving and proud father of two grown sons, a kind-hearted brother, and a caring presence in his mother’s life. He approached life and his call to serve with Agape Flights with wholehearted devotion. In 2016, he and his wife, Ruthie, relocated from Illinois to Venice, Florida, where they founded Sunshine Electrical Services, Inc. What began as a modest venture grew into a trusted and respected business serving Venice and the surrounding communities. From the outset, Kory built the company on two guiding principles: loving God and serving people well. That commitment was evident in every project, every conversation, and every relationship he cultivated. Kory flew with Agape Flights for eight years, and aviation was one of his greatest joys. His passion for flying began early, he earned his pilot’s license even before obtaining his driver’s license and flying remained a defining part of his life. He possessed a rare gift for making strangers feel like lifelong friends, leaving people everywhere he went feeling encouraged, valued, and truly seen. Kory carried a servant’s heart into every space he entered and often said that flying with Agape Flights was not simply a role, but his calling that he deeply cherished. All of us at Agape Flights will miss his kindness, his unwavering humor, and even his bold, unforgettable shirts. Kory faithfully served the Kingdom of God, and his legacy will endure through the countless lives he touched with every encounter. God called these men to serve, and they responded without hesitation. Though their lives ended in tragedy, their faithfulness and obedience will continue to live long after this moment. They lived everyday with purpose, served God with conviction, and placed their trust fully in the Word of God. Today, we grieve their loss and honor the lives they poured out in service to Him. Our hearts are hurting, yet we hold fast to hope, knowing that these faithful servants are now home, resting in the presence of the One they loved and served so faithfully every flight.
Posted by Agape Flights on Thursday, February 12, 2026
Timeline of the Final Flight
Data from FlightAware provides a partial picture of the aircraft’s final movements, though flight tracking in Haitian airspace can be inconsistent and should be interpreted carefully.
The Embraer 110 began its day at Venice Municipal Airport (VNC) in Florida, the longtime home base of Agape Flights. N316AF departed Venice at 0734 local time bound for North Eleuthera Airport (ELH) in the Bahamas, a common refueling stop for Haiti-bound missionary flights from Florida. The aircraft arrived in Eleuthera at 0905 and departed again at 0936, this time bound for Cap-Haïtien International Airport (CAP) on Haiti’s northern coast.
FlightAware data shows the next leg of the journey listed with estimated times rather than confirmed radar tracking. The aircraft was shown departing Cap-Haïtien at 1318, with a last estimated position near Jérémie at 1351. A subsequent track shows the aircraft first appearing near Jérémie at 1433 local time, with contact lost four minutes later at 1437 over mountainous terrain southeast of the city.
Jérémie lies along the southwestern coast of Haiti’s southern peninsula, roughly 180 miles from Port-au-Prince. It remains unclear whether the aircraft actually landed in Jérémie or was transiting the area when tracking ceased.
The aircraft was built in 1980 and was 46 years old at the time of the accident.
A Workhorse Aircraft With a Long Legacy
The Embraer 110 Bandeirante holds an important place in aviation history, both globally and within mission aviation. First flown in 1968, the type entered commercial service in the early 1970s and helped propel Embraer into the ranks of major global aircraft manufacturers. Between 1968 and 1990, 501 examples were built in numerous configurations, capable of carrying between 15 and 21 passengers or substantial cargo loads.
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Inside Agape Flights: An Aviation Ministry Bringing Hope to the Caribbean
Although production ended more than three decades ago, the EMB 110 continued flying well into the modern era. As recently as 2018, approximately 150 examples remained in service worldwide with airlines, air taxi operators, governments, and air forces.
Notably, the Embraer 110 was the launch aircraft for the Irish budget carrier Ryanair.
At Agape Flights, the Embraer 110 was configured for cargo operations and could carry up to 3,000 pounds of supplies. Alongside a Cessna F406, the aircraft formed the backbone of the organization’s aviation ministry, delivering critical humanitarian aid, medical supplies, mail, and everyday necessities to missionary partners throughout the Caribbean.
Nearly 45 Years of Service and Faith
Agape Flights was founded in 1980 by Keith and Clara Starkey following mission trips to Haiti, Spain, Guatemala, and Africa. Seeking a way to expand their impact, they turned to aviation, purchasing a Cessna 411 and launching their first mission flight from Sarasota to Cap-Haïtien later that same year.
Operating out of a modest hangar at Venice Municipal Airport, Agape has grown into a vital logistical lifeline for roughly 300 missionaries and affiliated partners. The organization employs 13 paid staff members and relies heavily on a volunteer force of approximately 150 individuals, including pilots who donate their time and expertise.
While Agape Flights functions as a shipping operation on paper, faith and service remain central to its identity. Mission partners pay a modest annual fee and share shipping costs, while donors and corporate supporters frequently step in to cover expenses. In addition to routine deliveries, Agape has repeatedly supported disaster relief efforts, including emergency flights following Haiti’s devastating 2021 earthquake.
“We listen. We respond. God always delivers,” Speer said, reaffirming the organization’s core beliefs even in the face of tragedy.
In his message, Speer asked for prayers for the families of the pilots lost in the crash and for the entire Agape community as it begins to grieve.
Please allow God to guide this situation and to work in ways that only He can.
Allen Speer | Agape Flights CEO
“We ask for prayer for strength when the weight feels unbearable, for comfort when there are no words, and for God’s peace to surround them in every moment,” he said. “Please allow God to guide this situation and to work in ways that only He can.”
