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Something went terribly wrong before it ever reached the runway.
Investigators say the jet reported mechanical problems while approaching Laredo International Airport. Communication with air traffic controllers was eventually lost before the aircraft crashed approximately 2.5 miles short of its intended landing point.
Flight tracking data indicates the jet was descending normally before its signal suddenly disappeared at roughly 600 feet above the ground.
Moments later, disaster struck.
The aircraft slammed onto Loop 20, one of the city’s major roadways, striking at least one vehicle as it came down. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the fatality was a passenger aboard the aircraft or someone on the ground.
The impact left a devastating scene.
Video footage shows the jet resting against a highway barrier, badly mangled and split apart. Its tail section had separated from the main body, while debris was scattered across multiple lanes of traffic.
As flames engulfed portions of the aircraft, witnesses raced into danger.
Footage from the scene captured emergency responders attempting to break through the windshield while nearby civilians joined the effort. Several survivors were eventually pulled from the wreckage.
Some were even seen walking away from the crash site.
Laredo Police investigator Jose Baeza confirmed that five people aboard the plane survived and were transported to local hospitals for treatment.
Authorities also reported that at least one person from the vehicle struck by the aircraft was hospitalized in stable condition.
The rescue operation came with its own risks.
Five police officers responding to the emergency were later taken to the hospital after suffering smoke inhalation and other injuries sustained during the rescue effort.
The highway was immediately shut down in both directions as investigators secured the scene and began documenting evidence.
NetJets later confirmed that one of its aircraft had been involved in the crash.
In a statement, the company said:
“Our immediate concern is for the well-being of our Crewmembers, our passengers, and their families during this time.”
The company also announced that crisis response personnel and family support teams had been dispatched to assist those affected.
Federal records show the aircraft was manufactured in 2016. The Citation Latitude is a popular midsize business jet capable of cruising at speeds exceeding 500 miles per hour and features a wingspan of approximately 72 feet.
While officials have not yet determined the exact cause of the accident, early indications point toward a mechanical malfunction.
Laredo International Airport Director Gilberto Sanchez told local media that the aircraft experienced a mechanical failure before crashing.
Federal investigators are now stepping in.
The National Transportation Safety Board has assumed control of the investigation, while the Federal Aviation Administration is assisting. Authorities also confirmed that FBI personnel responded to the scene alongside local law enforcement.
Officials have not yet released the identities of those aboard the aircraft, and details regarding the extent of their injuries remain limited.
But one thing is already clear.
As a jet exploded into flames on a Texas highway, everyday Americans didn’t hesitate. While chaos unfolded around them, they ran directly toward the burning wreckage to help strangers in need.
Their actions transformed a horrifying tragedy into a powerful reminder that courage still exists when it matters most.
