Bizjets Collide after Unauthorized Takeoff Attempt at Houston Hobby
While there were no injuries, the Hawker 850XP and Citation Mustang suffered substantial damage
This photo shows the Hawker 850 which was involved in an unauthorized takeoff Tuesday at Houston's William P. Hobby Airport, according to the FAA. As it crossed a runway intersection its winglet impacted the tail of a Citation Mustang that was cleared to land on the other runway. (Photo: José Roldán Cordero)

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is dispatching an investigation team to William P. Hobby Airport (KHOU) in Houston after two private jets were substantially damaged in a collision there on Tuesday afternoon. In a statement, the FAA noted that a Hawker 850XP (registered as N269AA to Whitmore Holdings of Chicago) was attempting to depart on Runway 22 without ATC clearance when it clipped a Cessna Citation Mustang that was landing on the intersecting Runway 13R.

The Hawker—which sustained damage to its left wing—was able to get airborne and returned safely to the airport within five minutes of takeoff. The Mustang received damage to its tail section during the impact.

There were no injuries reported, but the incident initiated a ground stop while debris was collected and removed from the runways. It snarled traffic at KHOU for several hours and caused delays, cancellations, and diversions for more than 100 flights.

According to an airport spokesperson, the Mustang was taken to the Wilson Air Center FBO, while the Hawker was brought to the Signature Aviation facility. An onsite NTSB examination in situations such as this typically takes three to five days, the Safety Board told AIN.