One person was killed and five others were injured when a small business jet carrying six people crashed Tuesday evening onto Loop 20 in Laredo, South Texas. The wreck shut traffic in both directions and scattered debris across several lanes. The five survivors were taken to hospital for treatment.
Laredo police spokesman Jose Baasa told CNN that the aircraft also struck a vehicle while descending, though it was not immediately clear whether anyone in the car was hurt. Witness video showed emergency crews trying to break into the plane’s windows as police officers and bystanders helped pull passengers from the burning aircraft. Some passengers were seen walking away on their own after being rescued.
FlightRadar24 said the aircraft was a Cessna Citation Latitude operated by NetJets. It took off from San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, around 6:18 p.m. local time and was headed to Austin, Texas, before being diverted to Laredo. Baasa said authorities were called shortly before 10 p.m. after the plane reported a mechanical problem to the local control tower. He added that contact with air-traffic controllers was lost shortly afterward, and the plane crashed during descent.
FlightRadar24 data indicated the jet was making a steady, controlled descent toward Laredo International Airport until its signal was lost at about 600 feet, roughly 4 kilometers from the runway. Airport director Gilberto Sanchez told KGNS the plane had suffered a mechanical failure before impact. Police have not released the identities of the six occupants or further details on the injured, and also said five officers were hospitalized locally after being hurt during rescue efforts. Federal agencies, including the NTSB and FAA, have been notified, and FBI agents also responded to the scene.
