Phoenix: Planes Collide In Mid-Air Killing Four
 

Phoenix: Plane Collide In Mid-Air Killing Four



Four people have died after two small planes collided in the air before crashing into the north Phoenix desert.


TransPac Aviation Academy, a school for commercial pilots, said two of its instructors were among the dead.


Phoenix and Daisy Mountain Fire Department officials said the collision took place 15 miles northwest of Deer Valley and involved two single-engine planes carrying two people in each aircraft.


One plane, believed to be a Cessna, caught fire upon impact and was "unrecognisable", Captain Dave Wilson told USA Today.


He added that the other aircraft, a Piper Archer III owned by TransPac, appeared to have made a rough landing and was mostly intact.


"This is a tragic evening. It could have been much worse and be in a congested area where people reside," Phoenix police spokesman Steve Martos said at the scene.


He added that planes frequently fly in the area because of the open airspace.


Several witnesses reported seeing the planes hit each other.

http://media.skynews.com/media/image...-1-522x293.jpg One plane reportedly caught fire as it hit the ground (Pic: USA Today)




"This is a tragic evening. It could have been much worse and be in a congested area where people reside," Phoenix police spokesman Steve Martos said at the scene.


It could take months before the cause is determined, Mr Gregor said.

Deer Valley Airport is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the country and has more than 1,200 planes based there.