A private jet crash near Mexico City has killed ten people, including three children under the age of ten. The aircraft, an air taxi operated by JetPro, came down in an industrial estate near Toluca Airport on Thursday afternoon.
The pilot, identified locally as Juan Carlos Olivares Casas, and co-pilot Walding Sanchez Manzano died alongside five adult passengers and the three children, who were members of the same family. The children were named as Raul, four, Natalia, two, and Ximena, nine.
Witnesses reported the plane appeared to lose control before crashing into a warehouse, triggering a fire that forced the evacuation of around 130 people from the surrounding area. The pilot had been attempting to land on a nearby football field, according to initial reports.
The flight had originated in Acapulco on the Pacific coast. Investigators are focusing on a possible engine problem, with the pilot heard telling air traffic controllers, “We’re crashing,” in his final transmission. The official cause remains under investigation.
Servicios Aereos Estrella, initially named as the operator, has denied involvement, stating the aircraft did not belong to them. JetPro, the actual operator, has not yet commented on the incident.
