A private jet that had been reporting major mechanical problems was forced to land near Laredo airport, just 150 m from San Antonio. When the aircraft crashed onto a section of the Loop 20 motorway, the impact triggered thick smoke and flames, and a vehicle was struck as the plane skidded into the traffic highway.
Within seconds, nearly a dozen bystanders and responding emergency officials seized shovels and a sledgehammer to pry open the plane’s outer door. The improvised effort enabled several passengers to escape the wreckage, after which emergency responders transported them to nearby hospitals.
Authorities confirmed that one of the six people on board died, though the name of the deceased has not yet been released. The remaining five survivors are in stable condition, according to police reports.
The crash site remains closed to traffic, with Loop 20 shut down until the full investigation – involving the FBI and the National Transportation Safety Board – is completed on Wednesday. Firefighters and first responders treated five personnel for smoke inhalation following the incident.
