A tragic aviation accident unfolded Monday afternoon at Scottsdale Airport in Arizona, claiming one life and injuring several others. The incident involved a private aircraft colliding with another plane parked on the runway.
The aircraft in question, a Learjet 35A, is owned by Chromed in Hollywood, Inc., a company registered to Vince Neil, the lead singer of the iconic rock band Mötley Crüe. Neil's representative, Worrick Robinson IV, confirmed that the singer was not aboard at the time of the crash.
"Mr. Neil’s thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved, and he is grateful for the essential assistance provided by all first responders who attended today," Robinson stated in a release.
Details Surrounding the Crash
The Learjet had arrived from Austin, Texas, and was in the landing phase when it veered off the runway and struck a Gulfstream G200 parked on private property at the airport. Kelli Kuester, the public information officer for Scottsdale Airport, suggested that the accident might have been triggered by a failure of the left main landing gear.
Four individuals were on board the Learjet: two pilots and two passengers. The Gulfstream had one person inside at the time. Unfortunately, one person, whose identity remains undisclosed, died at the scene, while three others were taken to nearby trauma centers. One individual is reported to be in stable condition at a local hospital, as per Scottsdale Fire Department Captain Dave Folio.
The runway has been indefinitely closed due to the severity of the accident, pending further investigations. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is heading the probe, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in data collection and analysis.
Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky extended her condolences to the victims and reaffirmed her commitment to aviation safety. "On behalf of the City of Scottsdale, we offer our deepest sympathies to those involved in the crash and those transported to our trauma center for treatment. We will keep everyone affected by this tragedy in our thoughts," she said in a statement.
Scottsdale Airport is a crucial hub for private jets in the Phoenix area, particularly during major sporting events like the Waste Management Phoenix Open, a golf tournament drawing thousands of visitors annually.
Increase in Aviation Incidents Across the U.S.
This accident occurs amidst a spate of recent aviation incidents in the United States. Over the past two weeks, the country has witnessed three major aviation disasters:
- On January 29, a commercial airplane and an army helicopter collided near the capital, resulting in 67 fatalities.
- On January 31, a medical transport plane crashed in Philadelphia, killing six people on board and one on the ground.
- Last week, a small passenger plane crashed in Alaska, causing ten fatalities.
Authorities continue to investigate the Scottsdale accident to determine whether mechanical failures or human errors contributed to the landing mishap.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aviation Safety in the U.S.
What caused the Scottsdale plane crash?
The exact cause is still under investigation, but initial reports suggest a failure in the left main landing gear might have contributed to the crash.
Who is leading the investigation into the Scottsdale accident?
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with support from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
How frequent are aviation incidents in the U.S.?
Aviation incidents, while not daily occurrences, can happen and have been notably frequent in recent weeks, with several major accidents reported across the country.