All Walk Away From Aircraft That Went Down Just After Takeoff And Caught Fire

A Piper PA-28 belonging to TransPac Aviation Academy went down just after takeoff from Deer Valley Airport (KDVT) just north of Phoenix and caught fire just after impact, but the three people on board the airplane were able to exit the airplane before the post-impact fire and walked away apparently uninjured.

TransPac Aviation Academy said in a statement that:
"One of TransPac Aviation Academy's aircraft landed off runway near Seventh Street and Deer Valley Road this afternoon.

"All three crew members evacuated the aircraft safely with only very minor injuries. The aircraft apparently suffered significant damage.

"TransPac is cooperating in full with the FAA and NTSB as they complete their normal investigation. However, Stephen Goddard, President & CEO, would like to acknowledge the fine job our crew members did in safely executing an emergency landing - something we practice and prepare for each and every day.

"'The safety and security of our instructors and students is TransPac's highest priority,'" Goddard said in the statement.

The names of the people on board the airplane have not been released, and it was not known if a student pilot was acting as Pilot in Command when the accident occurred.

Television station KPHO reports that, according to the NTSB, aircraft belonging to TransPac Aviation Academy have been involved in nine accidents since 2009, and three of them involved fatalities.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov