One dead after private jet crashes on Texas highway

Bystanders and first responders rushed toward a burning private jet on a Laredo, Texas, highway Tuesday night, using a sledgehammer and what appeared to be a shovel to help free people trapped inside after the aircraft crashed and burst into flames.

One of the six people aboard died at the scene, authorities said. The five survivors were taken to local hospitals and were reported in stable condition. Officials said Wednesday that the identities of those on board were not being released at the family’s request and out of respect for the family.

The Cessna Citation, operated by NetJets, crashed shortly after 10 p.m. on Loop 20 near Laredo International Airport, close to the Texas-Mexico border. Laredo Police Department investigator Jose Baeza said the crash happened near the airport, about 140 to 150 miles southwest of San Antonio.

Laredo International Airport Director Gilberto Sanchez told CBS News that the airport received an alert at 9:58 p.m. local time that the aircraft was experiencing mechanical issues and was low on fuel. Sanchez said it lost communication with the tower and crash-landed minutes later, a few miles from the airport. He said the plane was heading to Austin, Texas. The BBC reported, citing Sanchez’s comments to The New York Times, that the aircraft was flying from Los Cabos, Mexico, to Austin when it reported major mechanical issues to Laredo airport.

Dashcam footage posted on social media showed the aircraft careening down the highway and knocking down a light post before coming to rest. Videos from the aftermath showed the jet on its side, smashed into a highway barrier, with flames and thick smoke around the fuselage. The tail had separated from the aircraft and lay mostly intact on a lower-level road beneath the rescue scene.

“It looked like part of a movie. I was in shock,” said Zayra Garza, an esthetician who was driving co-workers home when she came upon the crash.

Garza said she saw someone inside the plane trying to break the cockpit window. Soon, people stopped their vehicles and tried to smash the glass from outside while fire burned on the aircraft. Two people arrived with a sledgehammer and shovel and used them to strike the cockpit glass and try to prop open the door.

Garza said her husband got out to help. She then saw the plane door open and said three people who appeared to be teenagers rushed out, followed by someone who appeared to be a pilot. Another crew member tried to pull out a person who appeared unconscious, she said.

As smoke poured from the wreckage, a firefighter used a small ladder to climb into the aircraft to rescue the remaining passenger while others sprayed water on the plane. Rescuers could be heard calling for a rope as others used rods to hold the door open. Officers helping at the door repeatedly ran back from the aircraft and doubled over coughing because of the smoke.

“What was worrying me was the fire,” Garza said. “I was concerned that it could have just exploded at any time.”

A small pet was also found inside the aircraft, according to Laredo Fire Chief Guillermo Heard.

No injuries on the ground were immediately reported, CBS News said. The BBC reported that one vehicle was struck by the aircraft as it crashed onto the motorway, though Baeza said it was unclear what part of the plane hit the vehicle. Five first responders or officers were treated or taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.

Loop 20 was shut down after the crash. Baeza said it was expected to remain closed to traffic Wednesday as the investigation continued, the BBC reported.

The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration said they would investigate, with the NTSB taking the lead, according to CBS News. The BBC reported that the investigation would also include the FBI.

NetJets said the crash involved one of its aircraft and that it was working with authorities.

“Our immediate concern is for the well-being of our Crewmembers, our passengers, and their families during this time,” the company said. “We are activating our crisis response and family support teams to support those affected and their loved ones, and we are deploying a team of experts to the site of the accident.”