Officials Stress No Foul Play Suspected

Tuesday's downing of a Learjet 45 on approach to Mexico City International Airport has raised several eyebrows, given that two of the nine persons onboard the aircraft lost in the crash were prominent -- and controversial -- officials tied to the Mexico government. But authorities state they have no reason to suspect foul play.

As ANN reported, Interior Minister Juan Camilo Mourino and former Assistant Attorney General Jose Luis Santiago Vasconcelos died in the crash, along with six others. The plane departed the northern city of San Luis Potosi, and was on approach to land at Mexico City International Airport when it came down for still-undetermined reasons.

Nine persons on the ground were killed in the accident, and at least 40 others were injured when the aircraft impacted a business and residential neighborhood.

The New York Times reports speculation has swirled around the accident... as Santiago Vasconcelos was a prominent opponent of the country's violent and powerful drug cartels. Mourino was Mexico's top security official.

"Up to now, no indications have been detected that would allow us to form any hypothesis different from those of an accident, but the investigation will continue until all possibilities are exhausted," said communications and transportation minister Luis Téllez during a news conference Wednesday.

Also hoping to ward off media speculation of possible sabotage or terrorism, Mexican President Felipe Calderon took the unusual step of ordering the release of radar images and air traffic control recordings related to the accident. A preliminary review of that information does not show anything amiss up to the time the aircraft disappeared from radar.

The US National Transportation Safety Board has also dispatched a team of investigators to Mexico City, to assist in the investigation... but despite high-level assurances the accident was just that -- an accident -- some Mexican citizens still have their doubts.

"Look, in the past the government has covered up things this big, and I don’t doubt that they will this time," said student Rocío Flores. "If the narcos killed Mourino and the other guy, the truth is, who knows if the people will find out."

FMI: www.ntsb.gov