One dead after private jet crashes onto Texas highway during emergency diversion
A private jet operating a flight from Mexico to Texas crashed onto a highway near Laredo International Airport after reportedly diverting due to an in-flight emergency. One person was killed and five others survived the accident, escaping the burning aircraft with the help of police officers and bystanders.
- A Cessna Citation Latitude crashed onto a highway near Laredo International Airport in Texas during an emergency diversion.
- One of the six people on board died, while five others escaped the burning aircraft.
- Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the crash, which occurred just short of the airport.
A private jet crashed onto a highway near Laredo International Airport in Texas on Tuesday (16 June 2026) evening after reportedly diverting due to an emergency situation.
The aircraft, a Cessna Citation Latitude operated by NetJets, had departed from Los Cabos International Airport in Mexico and was originally bound for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
According to flight-tracking data, the jet altered its route and headed toward Laredo before the accident.
Aircraft came down short of runway
Data indicated the aircraft approached Laredo International Airport and circled in the area, apparently to lose altitude before lining up for landing.
However, the jet failed to reach the runway and came down on Loop 20 highway, approximately four kilometres south of the airport.
Video footage shared online showed the aircraft resting on its side after the crash as flames spread across part of the fuselage.
Members of the public and emergency responders were seen attempting to assist occupants trapped inside the aircraft.
One fatality confirmed
NetJets confirmed that the aircraft had been involved in an accident and said reports indicated injuries and a fatality.
Authorities later reported that one of the six people on board died in the crash.
The remaining five occupants escaped from the aircraft with assistance from police officers and bystanders who rushed to the scene.
Five police officers involved in the rescue operation were later treated for smoke inhalation.
Investigation underway
The cause of the emergency diversion and subsequent crash has not been disclosed.
NetJets said its immediate concern was the wellbeing of crew members, passengers and their families.
The company added that the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) had been notified and is investigating the accident.
Rare fatal accident for NetJets
The accident marks the first fatal crash involving a fractional ownership operator since NetJets pioneered the business aviation model in 1986, according to Aviation International News.
The Cessna Citation Latitude is a midsize business jet capable of carrying up to nine passengers in addition to two pilots.
