Five people were killed when a small jet collided with a vehicle after taking off from a suburban Phoenix airport on Tuesday, police said.
Police there said in a statement that the plane crashed while taking off from Falcon Field Airport in Mesa. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the Honda HA-420 light business jet struck the vehicle outside airport property at 4:40 p.m.
The jet appeared to have skidded through a fence before colliding with a vehicle. CBS affiliate KPHO-TV Informed.
Television news video showed a large fire breaking out on a road near the airport.
Aerial video from KPHO-TV Heavy smoke is seen billowing from a road near the airport where the plane and vehicle collided.
KPHO-TV
Police said that the death of five people has been confirmed at the spot. Officials said there were five people on board the plane, but they did not say whether they all died or whether anyone in the vehicle might have been among the victims.
Mesa Police Department said The entire area will be closed for several hours while authorities investigate the accident.
according to globalairThe Honda HA-420 jet has a takeoff distance of 4,000 feet and can reach speeds of approximately 485 mph. It can seat a maximum of two crew members and six passengers.
FAA, National Transportation Safety Board And MESA officials will investigate. No further information was released.