Mesquite, TX – A Cessna 525A Citation CJ2+ jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Mesquite Metro Airport on Thursday morning, resulting in the death of the sole occupant, pilot Eric Forsythe.
The aircraft departed from Runway 18 at approximately 7:33 a.m. local time.
Shortly after takeoff, the jet executed a right turn and climbed to approximately 950 feet before entering a rapid descent.
Final recorded flight data indicated that the aircraft was traveling at a groundspeed of 196 knots with a descent rate of 2,750 feet per minute before impact.
The crash site was located in a wooded area near East Cartwright Road and Lawson Road, approximately one mile from the airport.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and extinguished small fires caused by the impact.
Fortunately, no structures were damaged, and no other injuries were reported.
Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the crash to determine the cause.
Weather conditions at the time of the accident were clear, with 10 miles of visibility and light southerly winds.