Private Jet Hits Vehicle During Aborted Takeoff, Child Among Victims
Federal investigators arrived Wednesday at Falcon Field Airport in Mesa, Arizona, to examine the wreckage of a Honda HA-420 jet that crashed during takeoff on Tuesday evening, killing five people, including a 12-year-old child. The private aircraft struck an airport fence and collided with a vehicle just before 5 p.m., resulting in the deaths of three adults and one child aboard the plane, plus the driver of the car. One passenger survived the crash with burn injuries and remains hospitalized. The plane burst into flames after impact, destroying the six-seat aircraft.
5 Key Points
- Spencer Lindahl, 43, Rustin Randall, 48, Drew Kimball, 44, and Graham Kimball, 12, died in the crash along with an unidentified car driver.
- The jet struck an airport fence and vehicle during an aborted takeoff attempt.
- One survivor remains hospitalized with burn injuries from the Tuesday crash.
- The NTSB, FAA, Mesa Police, and Mesa Fire departments conduct on-site investigations.
- The crash destroyed the Honda HA-420 jet in a post-impact fire.
Emergency Response at Falcon Field
Mesa Fire and Medical teams arrived at Falcon Field Airport at 5:10 p.m. Tuesday as flames spread through the wreckage. “Our community suffered a tragic loss,” Mesa Fire and Medical spokesperson Marrisa Ramírez-Ramos . Police and fire crews blocked all access points to the airport while firefighters extinguished the blaze. Emergency responders transported one survivor to a local hospital with severe burn injuries, where they remained under treatment Wednesday morning, according to Ramírez-Ramos.
NTSB Leads Crash Investigation
NTSB investigators documented the crash site Wednesday, November 6, collecting debris fragments and recording ground scars. Additional investigators will arrive Thursday to analyze the aircraft’s maintenance history and flight recorder data. The agency asked witnesses with surveillance video or crash information to contact witness@ntsb.gov. The FAA’s preliminary report categorized the crash as an accident that occurred under “unknown circumstances,” with investigators focusing on both the aborted takeoff attempt and the subsequent loss of control.
Flight’s Final Minutes
The Honda HA-420 jet attempted takeoff from Falcon Field Airport at 4:55 p.m. Tuesday when pilots aborted the maneuver. The aircraft veered from the runway, struck a perimeter fence, and collided with a passenger vehicle on the adjacent road. The plane carried four passengers and two crew members at the time of the crash. Local witnesses reported flames and smoke rising from the crash site, prompting immediate calls to emergency services. The aircraft used for personal travel had a typical range of 1,600 miles and carried complete safety certifications from the FAA.
FAQ
Q: When and where did the crash occur?
A: The crash occurred just before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at Falcon Field Airport in Mesa, a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona.
Q: Who were the victims of the crash?
A: The crash killed five people: Spencer Lindahl (43), Rustin Randall (48), Drew Kimball (44), and Graham Kimball (12), who were on the plane, plus the driver of the car, who remains unidentified. One passenger on the aircraft survived with burn injuries.
Q: What type of aircraft was involved?
A: The aircraft was a Honda HA-420 HondaJet, a six-seat light business jet with a range of 1,600 miles and a top speed of 483 miles per hour.
Q: What caused the crash?
A: The NTSB indicates the crash occurred during an “aborted takeoff,” but the specific cause is under investigation. The FAA’s preliminary report lists the collision as an accident under “unknown circumstances.”
Q: Who is investigating the crash?
A: Multiple agencies are investigating, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is the lead investigator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Mesa Fire and Medical Department, and the Mesa Police Department.
Q: How can witnesses provide information about the crash?
A: The NTSB asks witnesses with surveillance video or relevant information to contact them at witness@ntsb.gov.
Q: What were the immediate emergency response actions?
A: Emergency vehicles from local police and fire departments blocked the street in front of the airport. Mesa Fire and Medical responded to the scene and found the aircraft destroyed by fire.
Citations
Encinas, Amaris (November 6, 2024). Plane crashes into car after aborted takeoff in Arizona, killing 5 people. USA TODAY. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/11/05/mesa-arizona-plane-crash/76081919007/
