Private jet crashes on Texas highway, bursts into flames: one dead, motorists rush to rescue survivors
A Cessna Citation Latitude carrying six people crashed on Loop 20 in Laredo, Texas, shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday, erupting in flames and killing one person while motorists scrambled to break windows and pull survivors from the burning wreckage.
A twin-engine business jet operated by NetJets crashed on a busy Texas highway late Tuesday night, killing one person and leaving the aircraft split apart and engulfed in flames as passing drivers became first responders.
The crash sequence
The Cessna Citation Latitude had departed Los Cabos International Airport in Mexico at 18:19 local time, bound for Austin, Texas, according to FlightAware data. Shortly after crossing the US border, the aircraft diverted toward Laredo for reasons still under investigation. The plane came down on Loop 20 around 10 p.m. local time, striking a highway barrier and a vehicle before breaking apart. The tail section separated completely from the fuselage, and the rear of the jet was consumed by fire.
- Jet departs Los Cabos International Airport, Mexico, bound for Austin, Texas
- Aircraft crosses US border and diverts toward Laredo for unknown reasons
- Cessna Citation Latitude crashes on Loop 20 highway in Laredo, strikes barrier and vehicle
- Motorists stop cars, attempt to break cockpit window; aircraft door opens, survivors exit
Motorists become rescuers
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as drivers stopped their cars and ran toward the burning aircraft. Zayra Garza, an esthetician who was driving colleagues home, saw a person inside the plane trying to break the cockpit window from within. Her husband joined others who attempted to smash the glass from the outside. Moments later, the aircraft door opened.
It looked like a scene from a movie. I was in shock. What worried me most was the fire. I was afraid it could explode at any moment.
Three people who appeared to be teenagers exited rapidly, followed by someone who seemed to be the pilot. Another crew member tried to pull out a person who appeared to be unconscious. At least one person died in the crash; the five survivors' conditions were not immediately specified.
Casualties and injuries
No injuries were reported among motorists on the highway. Five police officers who responded to the scene were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation. The condition of occupants in the vehicle struck during the emergency landing has not been disclosed. Authorities closed Loop 20 in both directions to allow rescue operations and the investigation.
The aircraft and operator
NetJets, the fractional-ownership company owned by Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffett's conglomerate), confirmed one of its aircraft was involved and said it is cooperating with authorities. The Cessna Citation Latitude is a mid-size twin-engine business jet. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by local and federal authorities.
- Total on board
- 6 people
- Fatalities
- 1 people
- Survivors
- 5 people
- Police hospitalised (smoke)
- 5 people
