Local News
Victims killed in Bath Township plane crash identified
BATH TOWNSHIP, Mich. (Clinton County) — Authorities have confirmed that a private jet registered in Mexico crashed Thursday afternoon in Bath Township, Michigan, killing all three people on board.
The aircraft, a Hawker 800XP with Mexican registration XA-JMR, is reportedly owned by Aero Línea del Centro, S.A. de C.V., a company based in Aguascalientes, Mexico, and believed to be affiliated with the JM Romo Group.
According to initial flight data, the plane took off from Kalamazoo, Michigan, bound for Detroit, but within one minute of departure, it plummeted from an altitude of 14,825 feet, crashing violently into a wooded area along Clark Road between Peacock and Upton Roads in Bath Township.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion and seeing a column of smoke visible for several miles.
Emergency responders from Bath Township Fire and Police, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, and Michigan State Police rushed to the scene, where they discovered the wreckage completely destroyed by impact and fire.
The medical examiner’s office serving Clinton County, identified the victims as Rodolfo Pimentel Zamora and Francisco Javier del Moral Jimenez, both pilots from Mexico City, and Alvaro Espejo Rodriguez, a mechanic from Veracruz.
Michigan State Police were the first to arrive at the crash site, quickly securing the area and coordinating with federal aviation authorities.
A police helicopter was observed circling the crash zone to assist ground units in recovery and scene management.
Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and are leading the investigation into the cause of the crash.
Preliminary data suggests a rapid and unexplained descent lasting approximately 30 seconds before impact.
Reports from Aguascalientes, Mexico, indicate that the crash has caused deep shock and sorrow within the local aviation and business communities.
The JM Romo Group, reportedly linked to the aircraft, has not issued an official statement.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The identities of the victims will be formally confirmed and released once next of kin have been notified.
A Mexican military medical aircraft carrying eight people crashed into Galveston Bay near the Interstate 45 Causeway on the Galveston side, prompting an active search-and-rescue response, according to preliminary information.
Emergency radio traffic indicated that the aircraft, identified via flight-tracking data as belonging to the Mexican Navy, went down in the water shortly after entering the area.
Multiple emergency agencies responded to the scene as the plane was reported to be slowly submerging.
Scanner reports indicated that at least one individual was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Another person was transported to a hospital with cardiopulmonary resuscitation in progress, while a female occupant reportedly sustained a compound fracture. Rescuers were also performing CPR on the pilot at the scene as recovery efforts continued.
Authorities stated that search operations were ongoing to ensure all occupants were accounted for and to secure the aircraft.
Officials have not yet released the identities of those on board or confirmed the cause of the crash.
Further details are expected as the investigation progresses and information is officially verified.