Two killed in bi-plane crash
11:34 AM Mountain Standard Time on Monday, May 31, 2004
By azfamily.com Staff
Two people were killed Monday morning when a small plane crashed near Fort McDowell Casino.
Details are still sketchy, but what is known is that a Stearman vintage bi-plane based out of Falcon Field in Mesa went down on the Fort McDowell Indian Reservation around 9 a.m. Crews were not been able to get to the scene right away as it's about half a mile away from the nearest road.
While several agencies received calls about the crash, the Maricopa County sherrif's helicopter was first on the scene. A deputy confirmed the two fatalities.
Investigators are being shuttled between the scene and the command post by the sheriff's department helicopter.
There was a fire when the plane crashed, but at this point, there is some question as to whether the plane was on fire before it hit the ground or whether it burst into planes on impact. That fire, which was seen by witnesses and emergency crews, destroyed the plane, leaving behind only the frame.
The two people aboard the plane have not yet been identified.
A team from the National Transportation Safety Board is expected on site late today.
When I get more info, I will pass it along.
