MEXICO CITY, Jan 6: In a devastating incident near Saltillo Airport in Coahuila, a Piper PA-46 light aircraft crashed on Friday, resulting in the loss of four lives. The plane, which departed from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, approximately 40 minutes before the crash, fell just 200 meters short of the runway at the Plan de Guadalupe International Airport.

The pilot, identified as Antonio Ávila, reported running out of fuel just before the crash, as disclosed by Coahuila authorities and media reports, including Milenio newspaper. The other three victims, identified as Adriana Garza Ibarra, Rosario Garza Ibarra, and Hilda Garza Ibarra, were reported by El Heraldo de Saltillo. Although there is some discrepancy in reports, Milenio indicated that Adriana Garza Ibarra was a crew member, while El Heraldo suggested that all three were passengers, possibly sisters based on their shared surnames.

The aircraft's journey commenced in Brownsville, Texas, with a stopover in Matamoros, both situated on opposite sides of the Mexico-U.S. border. El Heraldo also raised the possibility that strong winds could have played a role in the crash, which occurred in the Blanca Esthela neighborhood of Ramos Arizpe, a municipality in the metropolitan area of Saltillo.

The single-engine aircraft, manufactured by Piper Aircraft based in Florida, was reportedly owned by a company in Toluca, México state, according to Milenio. As investigations unfold, the incident serves as a tragic reminder of the risks associated with aviation and the need for thorough safety measures.