TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — One person is dead, and another transported in critical condition after a plane crash at Ryan Airfield this morning. The crash was just short of the runway.
According to the Tucson Airport Authority, it happened at around 7:15 a.m. in a "Long-EZ" type aircraft. One person died at the scene of the crash and the other was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, the TAA said.
“Unfortunately, we had a very tragic incident this morning at Ryan Airfield, our condolences go out to the family members and everyone involved,” said Tucson Airport Authority COO Bruce Goetz.
Goetz says the aircraft involved was a homebuilt type of plane called a Long-EZ.
“A homebuilt aircraft which is very popular in the aviation community especially here at Ryan Airfield.”
People visiting the airfield tried to make sense of what happened. Michael Rhoads told us what he heard.
“An airplane came in and landed, taxied off to the taxi way, and when he looked back the plane was coming in behind him and was upside down on the runway,” he said. Rhoads is a former pilot.
“It is sad and yes I think it would affect every pilot. I wanted to come out this morning and just take a look.”
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.
“The FAA and NTSB are responsible for the investigation and coming up with a probable cause,” said Goetz.
https://t.co/O7Sy2MYuFq pic.twitter.com/vAyum9smfu
— Tucson Airport (@TucsonAirport) July 27, 2021
