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.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- AZ Family
- ABC News
- CBS News
- Fox News
- New York Times
- Wikipedia: Scottsdale Municipal Airport
- Google Search: Scottsdale Airport crash
- Google Scholar: Scottsdale Airport plane crash
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Scottsdale, Arizona
- Google News: Scottsdale Airport crash
Author: STAFF HERE BRISTOL WRITTER
The BRISTOL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBristol.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bristol, Sullivan County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, NASCAR races at Bristol Motor Speedway, Border Bash concert series, and the Hot Bristol Night Car Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, Believe in Bristol, and the Birthplace of Country Music, plus leading businesses in healthcare, manufacturing, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Ballad Health, Strongwell, and Bristol Motor Speedway. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
