One person is dead and four others are injured following a serious plane accident at Scottsdale Airport, Arizona, on February 10, 2025. The incident, involving two private jets, unfolded when a Learjet 35A lost control after landing and crashed directly onto the ramp where another mid-sized business jet, owned by actor Vince Vaughan, was parked.
Officials have disclosed preliminary details about the crash, stating it occurred around 2:45 p.m. local time after the Learjet, which had flown from Austin, Texas, experienced what was described as "left main gear failure" upon touchdown. The Learjet then skidded off the runway, crashing violently against Vaughan's Gulfstream G200. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but it was already too late for one person, who was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Scottsdale Fire Captain Dave Folio.
"We have five souls involved, one confirmed dead on arrival," Folio told reporters. "Two immediate patients have been transported to local trauma centers, one is stable but delayed, and another person refused treatment at the scene." Eyewitnesses reported seeing emergency crews struggle to extricate another victim who was trapped inside the mangled cockpit of the Learjet.
Social media was flooded with images of the chaotic scene, showing the two damaged jets as firefighters battled to control the situation. Scattered debris and emergency vehicles marked the tarmac where the tragedy unfolded. The Scottsdale Airport, a busy airfield primarily serving corporate jets, has been cordoned off, with operations halted indefinitely as authorities conduct their investigations. According to airport spokesperson Kelli Kuester, "the runway is closed for the foreseeable future, and we are cooperating fully with the investigation being conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)."
Particularly affecting is the fact both aircraft were significant investments; the Learjet 35A valued at approximately $4.8 million and the Gulfstream G200 priced between $2.85 million and $7.2 million depending on configuration. The owner of the Gulfstream, Jet Pros LLC, expressed their sadness and concern following the incident, stating: "Our condolences go out to the family members of those affected by this terrible accident." They stressed their jet was parked and stationary at the time of the crash, with no injuries reported among their crew or guests.
Nationwide, aviation safety has come under scrutiny with this being the second deadly incident involving commercial aviation less than two weeks apart. Following the Scottsdale crash, officials noted the need for rigorous safety measures to prevent future tragedies, especially as commercial traffic is expected to continue ramping up.
This alarming sequence of events—culminated by the tragedy at Scottsdale Airport—echoes recent aviation crises, including the midair collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army helicopter just days prior, which claimed all 67 lives aboard.
Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky expressed the community’s grief over the accident, stating: "Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this event. It's obviously devastating for everyone involved, and we're thankful for our first responders who acted swiftly and professionally." She pledged to remain closely connected with federal agencies as the information and updates evolve.
Despite the tragedy, both city officials and the Scottsdale Airport stressed the strong safety record of the facility, which had previously handled around 166,000 takeoffs and landings the previous year without incident. The NTSB is expected to provide more detailed findings about the cause of the crash as their investigation continues.
For now, the focus remains on the victims and the response team's efforts to understand how such accidents can be avoided going forward. Emergency services have been praised for their rapid response and coordination under pressure, with the hope this incident might serve as an impetus for rigorous reassessment of aviation safety protocols nationwide.
Onlookers at the airport as well as online commentators have noted how quickly these dangerous situations can escalate, highlighting the importance of constant vigilance and effective operational protocols at airports across the country. For those directly affected, healing from this tragedy will take precedence as they navigate the emotional aftermath of the loss and injuries incurred.