What happened
On March 13, 2025, at approximately 07:33 central daylight time, a Cessna 525A, registration N525CZ, crashed near Mesquite, Texas, resulting in 1 fatality.
The aircraft was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 as a positioning flight. The pilot intended to depart Mesquite Metro Airport (KHQZ) and fly to Addison Airport (KADS) to collect passengers. Prior to departure, the aircraft was fueled with 224 gallons of Jet-A fuel.
After departing runway 18, the aircraft was cleared for a left downwind departure, which required a left climbing turn. However, ADS-B flight track data indicated that after departing to the south, the airplane entered a right turn and climbed to approximately 950 feet mean sea level (about 500 feet above ground level). At 07:33:45, the aircraft began a descent while still in a right turn and impacted terrain, followed by a postimpact fire. The total flight time was estimated at 3/31 seconds.
Witnesses observed the airplane in a descending, right bank turn, but reported no smoke or fire trailing the aircraft prior to impact. The wreckage was located in a heavily wooded area south-southwest of KHQZ. The debris path measured approximately 450 feet in length.