Tragic Collision at Scottsdale Airport

Emergency responders at Scottsdale Airport responding to a collision incident.

News Summary

A tragic aviation accident occurred at Scottsdale Municipal Airport when a Learjet collided with a parked Gulfstream jet, resulting in one fatality and several injuries. The incident, attributed to a landing gear failure, raised concerns among attendees and led to a quick emergency response. The pilot of the Learjet was killed, and others sustained injuries but are expected to recover. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident as the community mourns the loss.

Tragic Collision at Scottsdale Airport

On Monday afternoon, a heartbreaking aviation incident took place at Scottsdale Municipal Airport that left one person dead and several others injured. The collision occurred when two jets collided on the runway, causing chaos and concern among those present.

What Happened

At approximately 2:45 p.m., a Learjet 35A, owned by Vince Neil, the lead singer of the famous rock band Mötley Crüe, veered off the runway upon landing and collided with a parked Gulfstream G-200 business jet. Thankfully, Vince Neil was not on board the Learjet at the time of the incident.

The Aftermath

According to reports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the left main landing gear of Neil’s Learjet failed during the landing, leading to the unfortunate crash. Fire crews arrived on the scene quickly, and upon their arrival, they tragically discovered that one person had lost their life, identified as the pilot of Neil’s jet.

In addition to the pilot, there were injuries among other individuals onboard. Neil’s girlfriend and a friend of hers sustained injuries but are expected to survive, along with the co-pilot of the Learjet. A fifth person aboard the Gulfstream jet, however, refused medical treatment and was reported to be unharmed.

Community Reactions

The rock band Mötley Crüe released a statement extending their condolences for the loss of the pilot and expressing concern for the injured passengers. This initial message was later updated to provide more recent information. Bret Michaels, lead singer of Poison and a friend of Neil, shared a sense of relief that Neil was not on the aircraft at the time of the crash.

Neil’s attorney shared that the musician was grateful for the rapid response of the first responders and is sending thoughts and prayers to all those affected by this tragic event.

Emergency Response

Firefighters at the scene quickly detected the smell of gas in the area, prompting them to call in additional hazmat units to assess the safety of the surrounding buildings. Video footage captured the moment the Learjet made contact with the parked Gulfstream jet, highlighting the severity of this incident.

Flight Details

The Learjet was registered to a company named Chromed in Hollywood, Wyoming, with Neil listed as a principal-agent. Flight tracking site ADS-B Exchange confirmed that Neil’s jet had just arrived from Austin, Texas, just before the crash occurred. This incident happened during a busy time following the PGA Tour’s Phoenix Open, further increasing airport traffic.

Airport Closure and Investigation

As a result of the crash, Scottsdale Airport was closed for several hours, only reopening around 8:45 p.m.. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating this tragic event to determine what led to the collision.

Condolences from Local Leaders

Scottsdale’s Mayor, Lisa Borowsky, offered her condolences to the families affected by this tragedy and expressed appreciation for the quick actions of the first responders on the scene. The community is coming together in support of those impacted during this difficult time, reflecting on the profound loss and the bravery of those who answered the call for help.