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5 killed in plane crash near Falcon Field Airport in Mesa
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5 killed in plane crash near Falcon Field Airport in Mesa

Five people were killed when a small plane crashed on Greenfield Road near Falcon Field Airport in Mesa Tuesday afternoon.

The HA-420 HondaJet aircraft crashed into a vehicle just outside the airport at around 16:40 after takeoff.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Donnell Evans said there were five people on the plane. Local authorities did not provide information on whether there were passengers among the dead.

Emergency vehicles have blocked the street and traffic near the airport is expected to be blocked for hours. Flames and smoke were seen in the area.

“We are working on a plane crash at Greenfield and McKellips Road in Mesa,” Mesa police said in a post on X. “The entire area will be closed for several hours. Please seek an alternative route.”

In a post on X after 9 p.m., police said some traffic in the area was open, northbound Greenfield was open, but traffic should go eastbound on McKellips Road. Southbound Greenfield Road was still closed at McDowell Road. McKellips Road was open on both sides but was reduced to one lane.

Police said people should still avoid the area.

A small area separates the airport runways from Greenfield Road. There is an orchard on the west side of Greenfield Road.

The aircraft is described by the manufacturer as a “light business jet”. It has six seats and a range of 1,600 miles, with a top speed of 783 mph. The HA-420 jet was the first aircraft developed by HondaJet to make its maiden flight. in 2003, according to industry trade journals.

The aircraft is 46.6 feet long, 14.9 feet high and has a wingspan of 39.8 feet. It has two engines mounted on the wings. The new cost of the aircraft is approximately $5.8 million.

HondaJet operates an authorized service center at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The website lists an HA-420 for sale. It was built in 2017 for a price of $3.4 million.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are expected to investigate the incident, Evans said.

The NTSB will lead the case and is expected to provide updates Wednesday, Mesa Fire and Medical spokeswoman Marrisa Ramirez-Ramos said.

“Our community suffered a tragic loss this afternoon,” Ramirez-Ramos said. he said.

This is an evolving story. Check back for updates.

(This story has been updated to add video and photos.)