A Honda HA-420 business jet crashed during an aborted takeoff at Falcon Field Airport in Mesa, Arizona on Tuesday afternoon, November 5, 2024. The accident, which occurred around 4:40 p.m., left five people dead after the aircraft barreled through multiple barriers and collided with a vehicle on a nearby roadway.
The jet was en route to Provo, Utah, but failed to gain the necessary altitude to complete takeoff. Four of the five people on board died at the scene, while one teenage passenger survived but sustained severe burn injuries and was transported to the hospital.
Authorities identified the deceased as Spencer Lindahl, 43, Rustin Randall, 48, Drew Kimball, 44, and 12-year-old Graham Kimball. The driver of the vehicle struck by the plane was also killed.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the jet crossed beyond the airport’s perimeter, tearing through fences and barriers before entering Greenfield Road, where it collided with the vehicle. “The plane went through a dip, past the road, through a metal gated fence, and a few concrete walls before crashing,” recalled Joshua Golabi, a pilot who witnessed the incident.
Following the impact, the aircraft and vehicle erupted into flames, with witnesses noting thick black smoke rising from the site. Emergency response teams from the Mesa Fire Department and local law enforcement arrived promptly, working to control the blaze and secure the scene.
Greenfield Road, which borders the airport, remained closed through Wednesday as investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) meticulously documented the crash site.
The Honda HA-420, commonly known as the HondaJet, is a lightweight business jet engineered for short—to medium-range flights. It can take off from 4,000 feet and reach speeds of about 485 mph. It can hold up to two crew members and six passengers.
Federal investigators must review the aircraft’s maintenance logs, pilot qualifications, and any mechanical factors contributing to the aborted takeoff. Surveillance footage from the airport and air traffic control communications will also be analyzed to trace the plane’s final movements from takeoff to impact. The investigation is ongoing, with the crash site secured under federal jurisdiction as debris is collected and inspected to ascertain the cause of the tragedy.
