A Cessna 680 Citation Latitude executive jet (registration N523QS) operated by NetJets crashed on the Loop 20 highway, near the border town of Laredo, Texas, on June 16, 2026.
One of the six people onboard the aircraft reportedly died in the crash, while the other five managed to escape the burning wreckage with the help of several police officers and other bystanders who rushed to help.
Five police officers who took part in the rescue operation received medical attention after suffering the effects of smoke inhalation.
The private jet had departed from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) in Baja California, Mexico, at 18:19 local time and was bound for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Texas.
For unknown reasons, the jet then performed an emergency diversion to Laredo International Airport (LRD), but did not make it, crashing upon the final approach on a highway, approximately four kilometers south of the airport.
Footage circulating on social media shows the fuselage of the aircraft was split in two upon the impact, with the frontal section catching fire. The footage also shows several police officers and members of the public frantically trying to force the aircraft’s doors and windscreen open to facilitate the evacuation of its occupants.
The Citation Latitude is a midsize business jet manufactured by Textron’s Cessna subsidiary and has the capacity to carry up to nine passengers plus two pilots. Fractional jet operator NetJets, which is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, has more than 250 of this type of aircraft.