KUALA LUMPUR – One person has died and three others were injured after a jet veered off the runway and collided with a parked aircraft at Scottsdale Airport, Arizona. The incident occurred around 2.30pm Monday afternoon local time (2.30am today Malaysian time), prompting an immediate emergency response and the closure of the airport’s only runway.
According to the Scottsdale Fire Department via local media, two of the injured were in critical condition and were transported to local trauma centres for urgent medical attention, while a third was hospitalised in stable condition.
A fifth individual involved in the crash refused medical treatment. Emergency responders from Glendale, Phoenix, and Scottsdale arrived on the scene swiftly, with hazmat units deployed to inspect surrounding buildings as a precautionary measure.
The aircraft involved in the crash was a Learjet 35A, owned by Motley Crue singer Vince Neil. However, he was not on board at the time, according to a filing with the Wyoming Secretary of State.
The Learjet had arrived from Austin, Texas, and, according to Scottsdale Airport’s aviation planning and outreach coordinator Kelli Kuester, suffered a failure in its left main landing gear upon touchdown. This mechanical failure caused the aircraft to veer off the runway and collide with a parked Gulfstream G200 jet.
“The left-main gear failed upon landing, resulting in the accident,” Kuester stated.
Firefighters worked to extricate one individual trapped in the wreckage, while additional emergency personnel provided medical aid to the injured. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with smoke rising from the damaged aircraft as first responders rushed to assist those affected.
The Gulfstream G200 had been stationed at the airport since January 31, according to flight records, and was unoccupied at the time of the collision. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken over the investigation, with officials working to determine the exact cause of the landing gear failure and assess potential contributing factors.
Scottsdale Airport Aviation Director Gary Mascaro extended his condolences to the victims, calling the crash “a tragedy”, according to local reports.
“This is a devastating event, and our thoughts and prayers are with those affected,” Mascaro said.
Authorities have yet to release the identities of those involved in the crash. Investigators are expected to conduct a thorough review, including an analysis of flight data and maintenance records, to ascertain whether mechanical failure, pilot error, or other factors played a role in the incident.
This marks the first fatal crash at Scottsdale Airport since 2018, when a plane crashed shortly after takeoff, killing six people on board.
The runway remains closed as investigators continue their work, and officials have not yet provided an estimated reopening time. Further updates will be issued as more details become available. – February 11, 2025