LAREDO, Texas — A dramatic and tragic aviation accident unfolded when a midsize business jet crashed onto a major highway while on final approach to Laredo International Airport.
The aircraft, a Cessna 680 Citation Latitude bearing registration N523QS, was arriving from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) in Mexico when it went down shortly after 10:00 p.m. local time.
Chaos on Loop 20
The twin-engine jet, operated by fractional aircraft ownership company NetJets, crashed onto the Loop 20 highway near the Saunders Street and Clark Boulevard intersection. The aircraft came to rest on its side against a highway barrier and immediately caught fire, causing traffic to grind to a halt as stunned drivers witnessed the inferno.
According to investigator Jose Baeza of the Laredo Police Department, six people were on board the aircraft at the time of the crash. Authorities have confirmed that one person was killed as a result of the accident.
Heroic Efforts to Smash Cockpit Windows
The crash triggered a chaotic and frantic rescue effort from arriving emergency crews and passing motorists. Video captured at the scene showed the aircraft engulfed in flames while occupants tried to break through the glass from the inside.
First responders and bystanders quickly jumped into action, rushing into the heat of the fire to smash the cockpit windows and fuselage entry points to free the trapped flight crew and passengers.
Moments into the rescue attempt, an entry door was forced open. Witnesses reported seeing three young passengers rush out of the burning airframe, followed closely by a pilot. Another crew member was observed attempting to drag an unconscious individual away from the spreading fire.
The surviving occupants were immediately transported to a nearby hospital to receive treatment for varying degrees of injuries. Miraculously, despite crashing directly onto a heavily trafficked loop, no injuries were reported among motorists on the ground.
Investigations Underway
Loop 20 remains completely shut down in both directions as fire crews work to extinguish the remaining hotspots and secure the structural wreckage.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched a joint investigation into what caused the high-end business jet to lose altitude during its final approach phase. Preliminary flight tracking data indicated a rapid descent and an extremely low ground speed just moments before the impact.
