Mysterious Plane Crashes in Arizona’s Superstition Mountains
- Posted on November 23, 2011 at 10:14pm by
Tiffany Gabbay
- Print »
- Email »
In what can only be called an eerie coincidence, a plane — most likely small — has reportedly crashed in Arizona’s Superstition Mountains just 45 miles east of Phoenix.
Allen Kenitzer, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration, said the plane involved was a Rockwell AC69 that took off from Falcon Field, in the Phoenix valley.
According to Reuters, the plane broke apart on impact, igniting a wildfire. Fire and rescue crews have been dispatched to the scene.
Witnesses told KNXV that they saw the plane crash and flames erupt around 6:40 p.m. local time.
Dark video transmitted from the scene appeared to show fire in the mountains:
APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. (AP) — Authorities say six people were on board a small plane that crashed into a mountain east of Phoenix.
Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeau said Wednesday that preliminary reports indicate the twin-engine plane arrived at Mesa’s Falcon Field to pick up three children and refuel. He says a pilot, a mechanic and another adult were also on board.
People began calling 911 around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to report an explosion near the peak of a mountain, and flames could be seen from the rugged terrain hours later.
The Rockwell AC-69 was registered to Ponderosa Aviation Inc. in Safford, Ariz. A man who answered the phone Wednesday night at Ponderosa Aviation declined to comment.
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 707 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 560 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 376 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 369 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 363 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 369 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 376 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 299 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 149 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 369 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (67)
azghost
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 6:59amhttp://www.azcentral.com/ here’s an update of the crash. “The small plane crash killed several people, and a child’s body has been recovered so far”
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 3:04am@INVERSION
you obviously didnt watch the video or you would have learned that the cancer institute that claims that the treatment doesnt work refused to follow agreed upon protocols and dosage levels while testing the drug
lets hear a big baaaaabaaaaaaabaaaaaaa FROM YOU
Report Post »Robert999
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 2:33amWhen I first saw the headline and the word “mysterious” I thought it might be one of those black helicopters you keep hearing about. I guess it wasn’t a black helicopter – this time.
Report Post »Jomil48
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 6:30amDrug run!
Report Post »yougottabekidding
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 8:02amWhat made it “mysterious” ?
Report Post »BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 2:23amI live near these mountains as well and I think the build up of the headline is just based on the mountains long and mysterious history. The many souls who have died looking for the Lost Dutchman’s gold. And also for the fact that planes crashing into the mountain is not an everyday occurrence. You have the Boeing Defense plant right next to Falcon Field and planes come in and go out all the time with out a problem.
It is so tragic though. The families that will be effected is heart breaking. I hope none of the people aboard are anyone we know. Praying for these families tonight.
Report Post »Brae
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 1:57amTragedy on the eve of thanksgiving. People’s hearts are broken tonight. God Bless them
Report Post »mcmeador
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 1:46amI‘m glad I’m not the only one wondering what is mysterious or coincidental about this plane crash…
Report Post »UFOCPrez
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 11:50amWhat is strange or coincidental? A plane crashed in the mountains killing six people.
Report Post »TelepromoterNChief
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 11:57amThe “mysterious” part is that John Denver was the pilot.
Report Post »BCPATIOT
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 1:31am@ Dr Vel-I’ve climbed them the easy way,the hard way,your correct…they;re not tall. They do get that draft though,and I don’t think the weather was so hot out west
Report Post »ITS SO FLUFFY
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 1:48amIt’s not a matter of how tall the mountain is, moron. The problem is it’s exremely rugged. I live in Mesa and have climbed it a few times myself. It’s hard enough to climb it with regular supplies. I can’t even imagine having to bring in medical supplies.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 9:03amIt doesn’t have to be tall. It only has to be 2 feet above your plane.
Report Post »lodgerat
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 1:01amThe real mystery is why this is a mystery.Miss Gabbay please explain what the mystery is.
Report Post »Marci
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 1:15amNothing mysterious about it. I live about 16 miles from where the plane crash is. It’s really sad—apparently, the kids were being picked up in Mesa to spend Thanksgiving in Safford. Very, very sad. They are still on the scene right now. Had to drop in all personnel as the terrain is too rugged to get there especially in the evening. Just a very tragic sad night. 3 kids were on this plane…
Report Post »Wolf
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 12:57am“…In what can only be called an eerie coincidence, Blaze reporters actually thought a catchy intro line would result in more viewers, yet were astounded by the fact their readers were more astute than reporters imagined.”
Report Post »C’mon, Beck- get rid of that HuffPo editor and put a real news person in charge. These fluff pieces and ‘gotchya’ headers are getting boring. Soon no one’s going to believe anything they read here. The Blaze is turning into a comic book.
Bakko Bomma
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 1:04amAgreed
Report Post »eagledown
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 11:45amWolf: “re; C’mon, Beck- get rid of that HuffPo editor and put a real news person in charge. These fluff pieces and ‘gotchya’ headers are getting boring. Soon no one’s going to believe anything they read here. The Blaze is turning into a comic book.”
Sad but true. I’ve been pulled in on too many “non-stories” and gotcha headlines.
Not saying you should fire your editor, but seeing some of the comments he needs a talking too. We don’t come here for this B.S. Sorry Glenn, just honest feedback.
Report Post »PeteHDO
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 11:25pmRodger that Wolf.
Report Post »InversionTheory
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 12:56amPlease knock it off.
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Cancer/burzynski1.html
Videos available online, pamphlets and testimonials don’t prove anything. Please present a randomized double-blind controlled study result that backs up his claims…. Oh wait, no such study exists. He is the inventor, proponent, manufacturer and principle investigator of a “treatment” who results cannot be replicated by any 3rd party.
Report Post »hollowpoint
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 12:31amSince when is a plane crashing a mystery? Blaze writers are beginning to get desperate I think.
Report Post »JMorcan
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 12:49amNo, no, it‘s not a mystery it’s an “eerie coincidence.” What a stupid freakin’ article!
Report Post »donh2
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 12:18amDUMBA$$…Drug smugglers should know you don’t give your mexican pilot and English map. Very easy to confuse supersticion with SUR.
Report Post »David, the Constitutional Libertarian
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 12:12amI believe this is a photo of the Gulfstream/Rockwell AC69. Not familiar with this aircraft.
http://flightaware.com/photos/view/11552-ffb0e3917a81058cb608aefb7ed8892f7324231a/aircrafttype/AC69/sort/votes/page/1
If the tail number can be determined, I can get specific information on it.
Report Post »MrHoggLegg
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 11:57pmWhat makes this plane mysterious? The article implies that nothing is known about this plane and yet the plane is to be known leaving a local airport ✡ Doesn’t sound mysterious ✡ Sounds more like a lack of information about the plane and souls on board!
Report Post »Ded-Bred
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 12:16amYeah, this sort of “news story” is why I quit using mainstream media as a primary source of news- without anything concrete, stick your conjecture & creativity where it belongs: in that crappy novelette you can’t get published.
Report Post »Arizona Luke
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 11:24pmUpdate on the Story via 92.3 KTAR:
“This plane departed from Mesa’s FALCON FIELD Airport. Several fatalities.”
I hope that my former Monastery Bar Regulars are safe. There is a bar called The Monastery next door to Falcon Field and I knew many of the pilots that would frequented the bar.
Report Post »BCPATIOT
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 1:27amYes, I was thinking of them too and friends I have there,And my girlfriend just moved pretty close there!
Report Post »conspicio
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 11:22pmLooks like a simple case of someone not observing minimum altitudes in a mountainous area. No mystery here. Every pilot is responsible for knowing the area in which they are flying. Flying lower than these very obvious minimum altitudes that are on every VFR and IFR chart is unnecessarily risking yours and your passengers lives. In this case, ending with tragic consequences.
Report Post »Dr Vel
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 12:22amSo with zero information your first response is to blame the deceased pilot and start in lecturing everyone who ever flew a plane for their stupidity. No thought or consideration to engine failure. I spent 30 years hiking that area and can tell you those mountains are not that high. Real FAA material in training yet I suspect your day job would be a better choice.
Report Post »JohnHW
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 7:22amOne report said the way the debris field was elongated, sounds like the pilot leveled out too low, not engine failure. This indicates a level hit. If the plane’s type is reported correctly, it is a small high-wing, twin turboprop.
Report Post »BONETRAUMA
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 11:20pmI have rubbed the alien eggs from Roswell.
Report Post »UnprotectedByGovt
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 10:59pmMaybe drug dealers or coyotes dropping illegals? An ET wouldn’t be surprising either. I always thought an extraterrestrial storyline would help propel a leader to the forefront and possibly rally the world to unite as one. Not that I would believe the story…..
Report Post »rocker98
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 12:04amAlright Mr. Krugman. Back to NYC with ya.
Report Post »snufy
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 10:55pmMartin, what have you been smoking? I have never heard anything like that from any of those candidates. I told you before..get off the crack.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 10:35pmCheck out a video at the sight of fox10news.com and see how that video near the moutains shows what appears to be three craft in a triangle formation and then one disappears behind a section of the mountain until a fireball is seen very clearly.
I am only a few miles away from this area and it goes along with what other friends and family are confirming happened with the impact/flash/explosion.
It may have been helo’s on night maneuvers.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 11:01pm@SNOW
It does look like they are going at the same rate of speed .. one lower .. and then the impact .. whoever / whatever it is .. doesn’t look like they will find any survivors .. but God works miracles sometimes .. keeping those on board in prayers.
Beautiful part of the country .. I had friends that used to winter in Apache Junction — both have passed on — but they loved it there.
Report Post »rcw_68
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 11:02pmI live about 10 minutes away and didn’t know anything about it. I can clearly see the “‘stitions” from my house. Beautiful scenery….
Report Post »corbecket
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 11:03pmYeah. Take everything with a big grain of salt at this early stage. So far, the stuff coming out of the PHX area is that it was a Rockwell Commander 690 that had just taken offf from one of the general aviation fields near PHX. It is a high wing, twin engine turboprop powered aircraft. If this initial info is accurate, it is not a rotorcraft. The model is commonly used in corporate transportation, as well as charter work.
It is a long shot that there will be any survivors on this one (though we always hope for better).
Suffice to say, that a lot more will be known by the time the sun rises tomorrow morning.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 11:16pm@CatB — God can do the impossible definitly, and I hope so in this case; yet that size of fireball and the intensity about it, I have seen only a couple of times like it when a tanker truck fireballs on one of the highways…this though much bigger and intense in scale.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 11:20pm@Corbeck – By morning we should know more indeed. God I hope all those on it, helo or plane, are safe.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 12:09amObama is in trouble in the polls, Corozine and Holder are on the hot seat, I wonder which famous movie star or singer was on the plane. Maybe something to distract us, it just seems when Obama has been going negative in the polls, someone famous dies, or he kills a bad guy.
Report Post »martinez012577
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 10:35pmObama, Romneny, Bachman, Gingrich, Cain, Perry, Santorum have all said we should…
Sanction Arizona.
Put a no fly zone now in Arizona.
Start bombing Arizona.
Put troops on the ground.
Rebuild Arizona.
That is standard proceedure.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 10:45pmBarry says we should surrender and or bow deeply. That Eric Holder should sue Arizona for air pollution
Report Post »Mountain Dew
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 10:56pm@Martineetc… Gettin started on the holiday “cheer” early I see.
Report Post »texasfireguy
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 11:07pmWhat?
Report Post »GumRock
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 10:35pmSounds like someone forgot there Lucky Rabbits Foot !
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 10:29pmThere isn’t anything about airplanes flying in and around Phoenix. One good that came of 9/11 was the suspension of air traffic. The desert became peaceful.
Are you Saved? If you were to die while on your next airplane ride, will you go to Heaven?
http://www.PeaceWithGod.Jesus.Net
Report Post »skiziks20453
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 10:53pmyes I would, and jesus asked me to tell you to quit spaming these boards.. (he sounded a little pissed)
Report Post »Californiasodbuster
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 12:36am@ hittheskidz
Report Post »were you born an a ss hole, or you worked at it your whole life?
Probably both.
eagledown
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 12:32pmHey Poverty Sucks.
“One good that came of 9/11 was the suspension of air traffic”?
No, You Suck!
Wow, your making lots of friends here with that comment.
When I die, I hope there aren’t a-holes like you there.
Do us all a favor and delete your account here and take your fake born again christian crap somewhere else.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 10:26pmI am suspcious of anything any more, but I will hold off making any futher comment until we have more information available to us.
Report Post »SERUM
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 10:32pmSorry…. I have no comment at this time as well.
Report Post »Maybe at a later date, I will have that comment, but as for now…no comment, thank you.
common cents
Posted on November 23, 2011 at 10:21pmBe careful what you read and believe.
Report Post »