Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

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Cessna Citation 680, Sovereign, Sovereign+, and Latitude

Matt Thurber

A NetJets-operated, fractional-share-owned Cessna Citation Latitude landed on a road near Laredo International Airport (KLRD) on Tuesday evening and caught fire after reportedly diverting to KLRD due to an emergency situation. According to NetJets, “We can confirm a NetJets aircraft, tail number N523QS, was involved in an accident in Laredo, Texas, late Tuesday evening. We have received reports of injuries and a fatality related to the accident and are working with local law enforcement to confirm details.”&nbsp;This marks the first fatal accident of any fractional operator since NetJets created this segment in 1986.
A video published by CNN shows the jet’s fuselage resting on its right side, and people trying to break the cockpit windows. Then the cabin door opens, and people can be seen exiting. The fire is burning on the fuselage aft of the door. Another video shows the tail section of the Latitude completely separated from the cabin, just forward of the engines.
The jet departed from Los Cabos International Airport (MMSD) and was heading to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS). According to flight-tracking data from ADS-B Exchange, as the Latitude approached KLRD, it circled to lose altitude, then lined up with the airport’s north-south runways. At about 2 nm from the runways and about 1,200 feet msl, the jet started turning to the east and descended, then landed on the Loop 20 highway, about 1.5 nm from the runways.
“Our immediate concern is for the well-being of our crewmembers, our passengers, and their families during this time,” the NetJets statement continued. “We are activating our crisis response and family support teams to support those affected and their loved ones, and we are deploying a team of experts to the site of the accident.
“The NTSB has been notified&nbsp;and is investigating. Until investigators release information or findings, NetJets cannot comment further and will not speculate on the cause of this accident.”

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