SCOTTSDALE, AZ (AZFamily) — At least one person is dead after two jets, including one owned by rock star Vince Neil, collided on the runway at Scottsdale Municipal Airport on Monday afternoon. Neil was not on board.
According to the FAA, Neil’s Learjet 35A veered off the runway after landing and crashed into a Gulfstream G-200 business jet that was parked at the airport near Scottsdale and Thunderbird roads around 2:45 p.m.
Airport officials believe the left main landing gear failed as it was landing, causing the collision.
One person was dead when fire crews arrived, and as of 6:30 p.m., is still trapped inside the plane.
Neil’s heavy metal band, Mötley Crüe, made a post on Facebook that has since been deleted that said the pilot of the Learjet 35A died, and Neil’s girlfriend and her friend were hurt but should survive.
The co-pilot was also hurt.
“While details are still emerging, our hearts go out to the families of both the pilot who lost his life and the passengers who suffered injuries,” the band said in the deleted post.
The band changed their post with what Neil’s representative sent media members.
Bret Michaels, frontman of the rock band Poison, who is friends with Neil, posted on Facebook and offered his condolences as well.
“I was relieved to hear that my friend Vince Neil was not on board at the time of the incident…I often fly out from this Scottsdale Airpark location, and my heartfelt sympathy goes out to all involved!!” he said.
A fifth person refused treatment.
“Mr. Neil’s thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved, and he is grateful for the critical aid of all first responders assisting today,” Neil’s lawyer said.
Neil is the vocalist for Mötley Crüe.
Video obtained by Arizona’s Family shows the moment of impact as it skirts through the runway.
According to the owner of the Gulfstream, Jet Pros, the fifth person was on the plane and was not hurt.
“Our condolences go out to the family members of those affected by this terrible accident,” a spokesman said. “We are cooperating fully with airport authorities and relevant agencies as they conduct a thorough review of the situation. We appreciate the swift response of airport personnel and will provide updates as more information becomes available.”
When firefighters arrived at the crash site, they said they could smell gas.
“We brought in additional hazmat units to clear buildings surrounding buildings and get it clear in those structures; they also metered those structures and got zero readings in those structures,” said Scottsdale Fire Capt. Dave Folio.
Arizona’s Family Investigates learned the Learjet was registered to Chromed in Hollywood, Wyoming, and Neil is listed as a principal-agent.
The flight tracking site ADS-B Exchange showed that the flight was coming from Austin.
Scottsdale Airport was closed for hours until the runway was reopened around 8:45 p.m.
The Mayor of the City of Scottsdale sent the following statement:
The National Transportation Safety Board is now investigating the wreck.
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