Overview
- A Cessna Citation Latitude operated by NetJets crashed onto Loop 20 near Laredo International Airport late Tuesday night, killing one of six people aboard and striking a vehicle during its descent.
- Flight-tracking data show the jet departed San José del Cabo bound for Austin before diverting to Laredo and that radio calls from the airport tower reported mechanical trouble shortly before the signal cut out around 600 feet.
- Passing motorists and arriving first responders used tools to break cockpit glass and open doors to free occupants while firefighters extinguished flames and transported survivors to local hospitals.
- Five responding officers were treated for smoke inhalation and Loop 20 was closed in both directions as the NTSB, FAA and FBI began a federal investigation with NetJets cooperating and authorities requesting public video evidence.
- Investigators will follow standard NTSB procedures to determine cause, a process that could keep the scene closed for days and that may lead to safety findings once wreckage, flight data and witness footage are analyzed.