A private jet plane, a Canadair CL600, crashed and burst into flames while trying to land at the Aspen, Colorado airport yesterday, Sunday, January 5th, 2013.
The flight had come from Toluca, Mexico and was carrying two co-pilots and one pilot. One of the co-pilots, a Mexican national, was unfortunately killed in the crash.
The plane was attempting a landing at the Aspen airport the plane ran off the right side of the runway, flipped over, and burst into flames.
“The injuries were traumatic in nature, but they were not thermal. So the fire never reached inside the cabin as far as we can tell.” – Alex Burchetta, director of operations for the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office
The FAA identified the private jet as a Canadair CL600 (Bombardier Challenger 600 series) capable of seating 19 passengers plus 2 crew members.
Several celebrities witnessed the crash in Aspen:
“Horrible plane crash here at Aspen airport. Exploded into flames as it was landing. I think it was a private jet.” – Comedian Kevin Nealon tweeted from the scene:
“Fire trucks and other emergency vehicles still at scene. No word on survivors or who was on jet but I can’t imagine there are survivors.” – Kevin Nealon tweet
“So sad! Horrible plane crash we just saw happen at the Aspen airport.” – Country singer LeAnn Rimes tweeted
Sardy Field is a very tricky airport especially in wind- just ask a pilot.
Shouldn’t have landed. Some small commercial flights aborted that
day and returned to Denver.
“Private” with a pilot and 2 copilots with seats for 19 people? Think not.
Sounds like a charter flight to pick up upper class Mexicans after the holidays.