February 11, 2009 7:01 PM

Two Killed In Small Plane Crash

(AP)  A small jet that crashed in Houston had been ordered to quickly leave the airstrip at Hobby Airport because of an incoming airliner.

Both people on board the jet were killed.

A fire official says controllers told the pilot of the jet to take off quickly because a Southwest 737 with some sort of problem was approaching.

District chief Tommy Dowdy says the Cessna Citation 500 took off — but then it encountered a problem. Dowdy says the pilot asked if the jet could return.

He says it crashed on one of the runways, caught fire and slid across a grassy area to a parallel runway.

Officials don't know what was wrong with the jet.

Meanwhile, the Southwest Airlines plane was diverted to the city's other major airport. It landed safely.

© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
  • Stephen Smith

    Stephen Smith is a news producer and sports editor for CBSNews.com

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