Tragedy struck in Mesa, Arizona, this afternoon as a Honda HA-420 aircraft, tail number N57HP, crashed shortly after takeoff from Falcon Field Airport. The aircraft, which was departing Runway 22L at approximately 1640 local time, initiated a high-speed rejected takeoff (RTO) but was unable to stop before departing the runway. The jet careened through the airport’s perimeter fence, continuing onto a nearby roadway where it collided with a vehicle.
Initial reports indicate that five lives are feared to have been lost in the crash, though authorities are still in the process of confirming the identities of the victims. The aircraft was scheduled to land later that evening in Provo, Utah, and it is unclear whether the crash was related to any mechanical issues or operational errors during takeoff.According to ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) data, the aircraft had reached a maximum ground speed of 133 knots just before the rejected takeoff occurred, near positions D3/D4 on the runway. This data suggests the aircraft was traveling at high speed when the decision was made to abort the takeoff. The circumstances surrounding the RTO remain unclear, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.The most significant damage occurred when the aircraft continued beyond the airport’s boundaries and collided with a vehicle on a nearby road. A post-crash fire, which has engulfed most of the fuselage, has further complicated recovery and investigation efforts. As a result, the jet’s condition is largely destroyed, making it difficult for investigators to retrieve key evidence from the wreckage.First responders were quick to arrive at the scene, but the severity of the fire and wreckage made it difficult for emergency services to access the crash site. Local authorities have confirmed that the vehicle involved in the crash was also struck by the jet, although the status of the occupants in the vehicle remains unconfirmed at this time.Falcon Field Airport, a general aviation airport located about 20 miles east of Phoenix, has been temporarily closed as authorities continue their investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched a team to Mesa to probe the incident and determine the sequence of events that led to the crash.This incident comes as a devastating blow to both the aviation community and the families of the victims, as the aircraft involved was a Honda HA-420, a light business jet that is commonly used for regional flights. The aircraft was expected to make the short flight to Provo, Utah, a route frequently flown by the aircraft type.In the wake of the crash, aviation experts have expressed concern over the high-speed rejected takeoff maneuver, which requires careful coordination between the flight crew and the aircraft’s systems. The investigation will focus on understanding whether mechanical failure, human error, or external factors played a role in this tragic accident.As the investigation continues, the identities of the victims and further details about the crash are expected to be released by the authorities. Meanwhile, Falcon Field Airport remains closed, and the aviation community is holding its breath as answers begin to emerge about what led to this tragic event.
