14 DAY TRIAL // Two planes have collided in Phoenix, causing the death of four people on board in the Valley area.
At 10 a.m. on Friday, May 31, the planes smashed into each other in mid-air. Investigators are working on finding the cause of the crash, but weather conditions were favorable at the time.
"Both of them collided. We don't know how or why. [...] The skies are clear," Phoenix Fire Department spokesman Larry Nunez tells ABC 15.
The collision took place near 67th Avenue and New River Road, Phoenix police Sgt. Steve Martos details. He adds that the planes went down in a remote area, and nobody was injured on the ground.
"This is a tragic event. [...] It could have been much worse and be in a congested area where people reside," Martos comments.
The single-engine aircraft were 15 miles (24 km) from Deer Valley Airport, according to a pilot's account, conveyed by Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson Ian Gregor. National Transportation Safety Board officials were also at the scene.
One of the planes was owned by the Bird Acquisition LLC company based out of Phoenix. Both pilots were members of the TransPac Aviation Academy.
"I was terribly saddened to learn of the loss of two of our members of the TransPac Aviation Academy family.
"The individuals involved were deeply connected here at TransPac and their loss is felt by all of us," President and CEO of TransPac Stephen Goddard said in a statement.
The pilots were each joined by a passenger in the small planes. Reports say that no survivors have been registered.
Search crews first recovered three bodies in the area, coming across the fourth by 11 a.m., Nunez added.
"We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and fellow colleagues of the two instructors that were lost today.
"We are not releasing personal information about the individuals at this time out of respect for the families during this time of sadness and grieving," Goddard added.