The tragic plane crash in which driver Débora Estrella and pilot Bryan Leonardo Ballesteros Argueta lost their lives continues to generate repercussions. In the last few days, a video of more than two minutes was widely shared on social networks, which could be fundamental to clarify the sequence of events that occurred in the Ciudad Mitras Industrial Park, in the municipality of García, Nuevo León.
The images show a Bell 429 helicopter flying at low altitude and in close proximity to the Cessna aircraft, registration XB-BGH, used for flight practice. During the recording, the camera follows the helicopter first, while the light aircraft makes a right turn and passes underneath it.
Seconds later, the aircraft loses control, falls abruptly and crashes to the ground. In the same recording, the plane can be seen already collapsed on the grass, while the helicopter immediately lands on the side of the site and its crew quickly descends to try to help the victims.
The accident occurred around 18:35 hours, according to the video timestamp. Users on social networks have speculated that the proximity of the helicopter may have generated turbulence that affected the stability of the Cessna, although this hypothesis has yet to be confirmed by official investigations.
The Nuevo Leon Attorney General’s Office and the State Investigation Agency confirmed that the light aircraft was owned by the Monterrey Aeronautical Studies Center (CEAM) and was being used for flight practice.
The following died in the accident:
Debora Estrella, Grupo Multimedios host and communicator, who was traveling as a passenger.
Bryan Leonardo Ballesteros Argueta, professional pilot with experience as first officer in commercial airlines.
Some preliminary reports also mentioned a possible link between the aircraft and an aviation school in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, although so far the ownership has been ratified to CEAM, and that line is part of the open investigation.
Debora Estrella’s accident
The rescue and securing efforts lasted throughout the early morning hours of September 21. According to the Civil Protection of Nuevo Leon, at around 3:00 a.m. maneuvers were carried out to move the aircraft to a safe place and proceed with the extraction of the bodies.
To avoid the risk of fire or explosion, retardant chemicals were used in the area of the incident. The operation involved the collaboration of the Civil Protection of Garcia, Fire Department of Nuevo Leon, Civil Force, Municipal Police, experts from the Attorney General’s Office, the Federal Aviation Agency, SEDENA and the National Guard.
The mayor of Garcia, Manuel Guerra Cavazos, told local media that there was already a history of aerial practices in the industrial zone and noted that there were even reports of neighbors expressing concern about the frequency of small aircraft flights.
For his part, the governor of Nuevo León, Samuel García, lamented the tragedy in his X account:
“I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Debora Estrella and the pilot who accompanied her, Bryan Leonardo Ballesteros Argueta. I send my deepest condolences and a big hug to her family and friends, as well as to the Grupo Multimedios team”.
Although the video images provide important elements to reconstruct what happened, it will be the expertise of the Federal Aviation Agency and state authorities that will determine the exact causes of the accident.
Meanwhile, the journalistic and aeronautical community of Nuevo Leon remains dismayed by the loss of two lives in such unfortunate circumstances.
Here is the video of Debora Estrella’s plane crash.
Find out more at ‘QueOnnda.com’.
