Two dead after plane crash near Superstition Mountains

PINAL COUNTY, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) - Two people have died after a plane crashed near the Superstition Mountains east of Apache Junction Saturday morning.

An initial investigation by Pinal County Sheriff’s Office deputies, the FAA, and National Transportation Safety Board officials says that a single-engine Compagnie Daher TB 30 Epsilon carrying two people crashed near the mountains in extremely vertical and rocky terrain around 8 a.m.

Officials say the plane took off from Falcon Field Airport in Mesa with two people on board as part of a three-airplane flight headed to Payson. Although details are limited, deputies say several witnesses reported the incident, and that a preliminary report is expected in 2 to 3 weeks.

“It’s just terrible my heart goes out to the family of the people who lost their lives today,” said Karen Perry, who lives nearby and was outside during the time of the crash. “I was out walking my dogs in Gold Canyon and saw two what looked like war birds flying off in the distance in formation and a couple minutes later I saw a fire.”

The sight brought back sorrowful memories for Perry as she lost her children at those very mountains in a plane crash back in 2011. “Anytime there is a crash it hits me particularly hard. My children, their dad and two others crashed into the Superstition Mountains.”

Eight-year-old Logan, 9-year-old Morgan and 6-year-old Luke were lost that day. She has since created a memorial called Ribbon of Life which serves to remember those who have died in aviation crashes at the Superstition Mountains. Her kids’ names are engraved on it along with the others over the years who have passed. “Now I have to add two more names to that list and it’s just terrible.”

The FAA sent the following statement regarding the plane crash in Apache Junction:

A single-engine Socata TB 30 Epsilon crashed into a mountain near Apache Junction, Arizona around 8:00 a.m. local time Saturday, June 10. The aircraft took off from Falcon Field Airport in Mesa, Arizona. Two people were on board.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide any updates.

• Contact local authorities for the names and medical conditions of the people on board.
• The FAA will post a preliminary accident/incident report here usually the next business day.
• After investigators verify the aircraft registration number (N-number), it can be searched here.

The NTSB is asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to email witness@NTSB.gov.

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