HondaJet hits car in Arizona accident, five dead [Update]

A Honda HA-420, better known as HondaJetcrashed outside Phoenix, Arizona On Tuesday, he crashed into a fence and ended up colliding with a car. The crash occurred Tuesday evening around 4:40 p.m. at Falcon Field Airport in the city of Mesa. CNN reports. A spokesman for the Mesa Fire and Medical Department confirmed to the news outlet that five people died in the crash.

Update: Wednesday, November 6, 2024, 4:03 p.m. EST – Air traffic control audio has been released and we have embedded a video below this post to help illustrate what has happened so far.

“Preliminary information indicates that the aircraft struck the airport fence and a passenger vehicle during an aborted takeoff,” the National Transportation Safety Board told CNN. The Federal Aviation Administration also issued a statement saying, “There were five people on board the aircraft” and that “the aircraft struck a vehicle off airport property.”

Arizona’s 12 News Reports that a sixth victim is currently being treated in hospital and that the driver of the car is among those who died, but his name has not yet been released. The remaining victims include Spencer Lindahl, 43; Rustin Randall, 48; Drew Kimball, 44, and Graham Kimball, a 12-year-old child.

“He went through that low point. He went past the road through the metal fence they have and, I think, through some concrete walls,” Joshua Golabi, a witness who is also reportedly a pilot, told 12 News. “We were about to board our plane and take off when we heard a bang and saw a cloud of smoke.” By the time the news crew arrived at the crash site, the plane was reportedly already engulfed in flames.

As for the cause of the crash, National Transportation Safety Board investigators are still investigating “three main areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment.” Expect a preliminary report to be released within 30 days, although the final report may take significantly longer.

“Aviation is a difficult industry. I just send my prayers to all the survivors, the families,” Tre Franklin, another pilot, told 12 News.