11-23-2011, 11:58 PM
doesn't appear to be a commercial flight.
APACHE JUNCTION - Authorities and rescue crews are trying to reach the site of a plane crash in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix, but are having difficulty with the rugged terrain.
Multiple witnesses reported a plane crashed into the top of a mountain in the Flat Iron area and burst into flames just after 6:30 p.m. The plane apparently split into two at impact.
It's not yet known what kind of aircraft crashed, where it originated, or how many people were on board.
Rescuers are trying to reach the scene. It's in an area of rough terrain, and combined with the darkness, it could be several hours until they reach the wreckage.
In the meantime, rescue helicopters are over the scene, using infrared lights to search for survivors.
Both Sky Harbor Airport and Mesa Gateway Airport told us all planes have been accounted for. The FAA confirmed that there were no immediate reports of a missing commercial aircraft.
The Superstitions Mountains' elevation is about 5,000 feet at their highest level. A very large fire is still burning in the area.
A law enforcement staging area has been set up at the Lost Dutchman State Park.A viewer uploaded the following video to YouTube from a greyscale webcam. In the beginning, you see a small white light traveling from the left side of the screen to the right. At about :50, the light disappears. Then a few seconds later, there is a burst of light. The light that remains on the mountainside is the fire.
APACHE JUNCTION - Authorities and rescue crews are trying to reach the site of a plane crash in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix, but are having difficulty with the rugged terrain.
Multiple witnesses reported a plane crashed into the top of a mountain in the Flat Iron area and burst into flames just after 6:30 p.m. The plane apparently split into two at impact.
It's not yet known what kind of aircraft crashed, where it originated, or how many people were on board.
Rescuers are trying to reach the scene. It's in an area of rough terrain, and combined with the darkness, it could be several hours until they reach the wreckage.
In the meantime, rescue helicopters are over the scene, using infrared lights to search for survivors.
Both Sky Harbor Airport and Mesa Gateway Airport told us all planes have been accounted for. The FAA confirmed that there were no immediate reports of a missing commercial aircraft.
The Superstitions Mountains' elevation is about 5,000 feet at their highest level. A very large fire is still burning in the area.
A law enforcement staging area has been set up at the Lost Dutchman State Park.A viewer uploaded the following video to YouTube from a greyscale webcam. In the beginning, you see a small white light traveling from the left side of the screen to the right. At about :50, the light disappears. Then a few seconds later, there is a burst of light. The light that remains on the mountainside is the fire.