One person was killed and six others injured when a Cessna Citation Latitude business jet crashed onto Loop 20 in Laredo, Texas, on the evening of Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
The aircraft, operated by NetJets, was carrying six people when it struck a vehicle upon impact and caught fire. The cause of the crash is under investigation by multiple federal agencies.
Incident Details
The crash occurred shortly before 10 p.m. local time near the Clark Boulevard exit. The flight had departed from San José del Cabo, Mexico, at approximately 6:18 p.m. local time, bound for Austin, Texas.
According to data from FlightRadar24, the flight diverted toward Laredo after reporting mechanical issues. Air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at approximately 9:58 p.m. local time, when the plane was at an altitude of about 600 feet and approximately 2.5 miles from the runway. The aircraft then experienced a steady descent before the signal was lost.
Laredo International Airport Director Gilberto Sanchez stated the aircraft experienced a mechanical failure prior to the crash.
Casualties and Injuries
- One person aboard the aircraft was killed. The identity of the deceased is pending notification of next of kin.
- The other five occupants of the aircraft were transported to a hospital. Their conditions were not immediately available.
- A portion of the aircraft struck a southbound vehicle on Loop 20. The occupants of that vehicle were taken to a local hospital and survived; further information on their conditions was not released.
- Five Laredo Police Department officers were treated for smoke inhalation after entering the aircraft to assist survivors. They were reported to be in stable condition.
Response and Rescue
Emergency services and bystanders responded to the scene. Witnesses reported using a sledgehammer and shovel to break the cockpit window in an attempt to rescue passengers. Several Good Samaritans assisted.
The Laredo Fire Department responded to extinguish the fire and contain aircraft fuel that had spilled onto the roadway. Loop 20 was closed in both directions near Saunders Street and Clark Boulevard. Authorities indicated the closure was expected to continue through the morning commute and possibly into Wednesday afternoon.
Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have been notified and are assisting with the investigation. FBI personnel were at the scene.
The make and model of the aircraft were not immediately confirmed due to wreckage reconstruction. The aircraft's origin and destination were also not immediately confirmed. Airport tower personnel alerted police that the aircraft was experiencing mechanical problems before losing communication.
Authorities stated the information is preliminary and additional details will be released as available.