Plane Crashes During Texas Air Show Performance—Caught on Camera
FL360aero / YouTube
A thrilling air show in Laredo, Texas took a sudden and dangerous turn when a plane caught fire mid-air, forcing an emergency landing. This incident happened during the WBCA Stars & Stripes Air Show Spectacular at Laredo International Airport on Sunday. The pilot, a man in his 70s, is now in critical condition and receiving treatment in San Antonio.
Incident Details
The last airworthy A-20 Havoc engine reportedly caught fire just before 1:00 p.m (Feb 16). while it was still in the air. Despite the flames, the pilot managed to land the aircraft safely. Emergency crews quickly extinguished the fire upon landing. The pilot, who suffered facial and head injuries, was taken to Laredo Medical Center and later transferred to a hospital in San Antonio for further observation.
Emergency Response
Bartlett Avenue and Jacaman Road, near the airport, were temporarily closed. This allowed emergency vehicles to access the site without any obstructions. Fortunately, the air show resumed at 1:30 p.m., allowing spectators to continue enjoying the event.
Laredo Fire Department spokesperson Hernan Martinez explained that the plane experienced mechanical issues in the air, necessitating the emergency landing. He confirmed that the pilot had sustained facial and head injuries and required urgent medical attention. The pilot was airlifted to San Antonio for further evaluation.
Investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is leading the investigation into the incident, with assistance from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The focus of the investigation is to determine the cause of the mechanical failure that led to the in-flight fire of the A-20 Havoc.
Keep going for the video below:
View this post on Instagram
