The pilot was in critical condition after an emergency landing on Sunday at the WBCA Stars & Stripes air show Spectacular, in Laredo in Texas. An aircraft caught fire at the Laredo Airport during the show, prompting a response by local emergency services.
Air Show Incident: Situation Critical
A pilot who was in his 70s experienced engine problems mid-flight around 1:00 PM. Initial reports indicated that the aircraft engine caught fire, forcing the captain to perform a fast emergency landing. He successfully grounded his plane and extinguished the fire. The patient was transported to Laredo Medical Center, before being sent to San Antonio to receive specialized care. The current state of his health is critical and he continues to be closely observed.
It is not known if there were any other passengers on the plane. No other injuries related to the emergency landing or subsequent fire have yet been reported.
A plane crashes and ignites at an airshow in Laredo, Texas.
A-20 forced into emergency landing after mechanical failure at the WBCA Stars & Stripes air show.
Once on the ground, the aircraft caught fire, causing alarm among… pic.twitter.com/ICn1IiipfH
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) February 16, 2025
After the incident, Laredo Fire Department briefly closed Bartlett Avenue to allow emergency vehicles access. WBCA air show was suspended temporarily but resumed at 1:30pm.
Reports from Eyewitnesses and Officials
Hernan Martnez, a spokeswoman for the Laredo Fire Department stated that The Laredo Morning Times The aircraft had mechanical problems while in flight, requiring an emergency landing. Airlifted by air to San Antonio, the pilot suffered facial and head trauma. He was treated at a San Antonio medical facility. Fire Department units stood by to protect the pilot during rescue and transportation operations.
Federal Authorities continue to investigate
Federal Aviation Administration has begun a thorough investigation to determine the causes of the fire on the plane and what led up to an emergency landing. National Transportation Safety Board is assisting the investigation in order to identify the factors which contributed to the accident during the WBCA’s Stars & Stripes air show Spectacular.
Separate Aviation Incidents In Georgia
Two people lost their lives in a separate crash of a plane that occurred in Georgia. A single-engine aircraft, situated approximately 30 miles from Atlanta at Covington Municipal Airport crashed soon after takeoff. Covington Police Department stated that there was no communication from the plane for about 20 mins after it left at 1121 on Saturday night. Authorities found the wreckage near the runway in a densely wooded area. Both of the occupants had been pronounced deceased at the site.
In the past few weeks, there have been increased concerns over aviation safety following several high profile incidents. Among them, the midair collision involving a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 Regional Jet and a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk Military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport led to a tragic death, claiming 67 lives.