Mailén Díaz Almaguer, the sole survivor of the ill-fated Cubana de Aviación flight 972, has broken her silence in an interview with N+ Univisión 23, disclosing a previously unshared detail. She recounted that the flight was almost canceled and replaced with a bus service just before the tragic incident.
"I remember at one point the plane was not going to take off, they were going to arrange buses," said the young woman, who was 19 on May 18, 2018, when the aircraft, intended to transport her and her husband to Holguín, crashed just 35 seconds after departing from Havana's airport.
This near-cancellation, which sadly did not happen, is one of the few memories she retains from that day. Her mind has completely blocked the moments leading up to the crash.
"I don't remember anything, not inside the plane, not when it took off, nothing," she told journalist Javier Díaz. "I was informed of the events at Calixto García hospital. They didn't tell me who I was with, as I didn't know either. I had blocked everything out, including who was on the plane with me," she detailed.
Mailén and her husband, Jean Michel López Salinas, had not purchased tickets in advance; they managed to secure them only on the day of the flight at the airport.
Of the 113 individuals on board, she was the only survivor but suffered severe physical injuries: she became paraplegic, endured burns, and had her left leg amputated below the knee.
Eight years on, she asserts that her spinal injury has "improved significantly," although she still requires a prosthesis, medical supplies, and essentials like a catheter. Journalist Javier Díaz shared her contact number (+53 5 6000284) for those wishing to assist her.
Accountability and Ongoing Legal Battles
The young woman does not shy away from demanding accountability. The official investigation concluded that the most probable cause of the disaster was a series of human errors by the crew in calculating the aircraft's weight and balance. The flight was operated by the Mexican airline Global Air under a lease agreement with Cubana de Aviación.
"Those responsible should face consequences for their mistakes, which have caused so much suffering for many families," she asserted firmly.
Her demand follows a ruling by a Mexican federal judge ordering Global Air to pay $7.1 million to the families of four deceased crew members, marking the first definitive civil ruling related to the crash. It was the first official acknowledgment that the crash was not merely a chance occurrence but a result of gross negligence. However, Global Air has been undergoing bankruptcy proceedings since 2024, and the Cuban regime has not provided the requested documents to the Mexican Prosecutor to advance the criminal investigation.
Rebuilding Life with Faith
Despite everything, Mailén has forged a new path in life, deeply rooted in faith. She married in March 2022, began a degree in Theology at the Methodist Seminary in Havana last September, and took to the skies again in August 2022 on a flight to Cancún.
"It was to get back on a plane and break through that barrier. That day, I broke through it," she recalled recently.
FAQs on Mailén Díaz Almaguer's Experience and Legal Proceedings
What did Mailén Díaz Almaguer reveal about the flight before the accident?
Mailén Díaz Almaguer revealed that the flight was almost canceled and replaced by a bus service moments before the crash.
What was the official cause of the Cubana de Aviación flight 972 crash?
The official investigation attributed the crash to a series of human errors by the crew in calculating the aircraft's weight and balance.
How has Mailén Díaz Almaguer's life changed since the accident?
Despite her injuries, Mailén has rebuilt her life, marrying in 2022 and starting a degree in Theology. She also managed to fly again in 2022, overcoming her fears.