A private jet carrying 10 people crashed in central Mexico on Monday, Dec. 15, killing everyone on board, including three children under the age of 10. The Cessna Citation III was attempting an emergency landing near Toluca International Airport when it struck a warehouse and erupted into flames, authorities confirmed.
The aircraft departed from Acapulco and was traveling to Toluca, located approximately 32 miles west of Mexico City, when the incident occurred around 10:15 a.m. local time. According to Mexico State Civil Protection Coordinator Adrian Hernandez, the jet had eight passengers and two crew members on board.
The plane attempted to make an emergency landing on a soccer field in San Mateo Atenco, an industrial area just three miles from the Toluca airport. However, the aircraft instead hit the metal roof of a nearby warehouse, which stored fuel and gas tanks, igniting a massive fire that sent plumes of black smoke into the sky.
All 10 victims have been identified as members of the same family. The adult passengers included Raul Gomez Ruiz, 60; Olga Janine Buenfil Cardone, 60; Gustavo Palomino Olet, 50; Ilse Lizeth Hernandez Tellez, 32; and Raul Gomez Buenfil, 31. The three children who perished were identified as Ximena, 9, Raul, 4, and Natalia, 2.
The two crew members were pilot Juan Carlos Olivares Casas, 61, and copilot Walding Sanchez Manzano, 72. The private jet was built in 1981, making it approximately 44 years old at the time of the crash.
Due to the warehouse storing highly flammable materials, Secretary of Security for the State of Mexico Cristobal Castaneda ordered an immediate evacuation of the surrounding area. San Mateo Atenco Mayor Ana Muniz confirmed that approximately 130 people were evacuated from the vicinity as a precautionary measure following the explosion.
Local resident Octavio Contreras witnessed the crash and described the harrowing scene. “It spun around like when a fan breaks loose,” he said. “Then we heard the explosion, the truck even moved and then we saw smoke coming out.”
Emergency responders from multiple agencies rushed to the scene, including the Civil Protection Firefighters of Toluca, who coordinated with neighboring municipalities to extinguish the blaze. Photos from the incident showed the charred remains of the warehouse with smashed windows and a scorched soccer field nearby.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the crash during a press conference, noting that authorities suspect a technical failure may have caused the emergency. An investigation has been launched by the Attorney General’s Office, along with the Federal Civil Aviation Agency, the Directorate of Aviation Accident and Incident Analysis, and the Directorate of Air Navigation Services in Mexican Airspace.
Aviation accidents involving private jets can result from various technical issues, including engine failures, mechanical malfunctions, or instrumentation problems. When pilots experience emergencies, they typically attempt to reach the nearest suitable landing area, which may explain why the crew tried to land on the soccer field rather than continuing to the airport runway.
The Cessna Citation III is a business jet designed to carry passengers on corporate and private flights. While these aircraft undergo regular maintenance and safety inspections, older planes can face increased risk of mechanical issues due to the age of their components and systems.
The crash site remained under investigation as authorities worked to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the disaster. Investigators will examine the aircraft’s maintenance records, flight data, and witness accounts to piece together what caused the emergency that forced the pilots to attempt the landing.
The loss of an entire family, including young children, has deeply affected the local community in San Mateo Atenco and beyond. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with air travel, particularly in older aircraft, and the importance of rigorous safety protocols.
Mexican aviation authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, with results expected to take several weeks or months as experts analyze all available evidence. The findings will be crucial in determining whether mechanical failure, pilot error, or other factors contributed to the accident.
