by Jim Timm
The following are the reports of aviation accidents, and incidents that occurred in Arizona from mid-September through October. We hope to use the following detailed accident/incident information to develop safety programs, briefings, and posters/flyers that would help pilots learn from the mistakes being made by others and be able to take the necessary action to prevent them from having similar occurrences.
The Accident/Incident report is longer than it should be, and the number of FAA reported incidents are greatly reduced. Unfortunately, this report does include two fatalities.
In continuing with the expanded scope of the report, we’re using information from the Aviation Safety Network (ASN), FAA, NTSB, and APA Members. This more inclusive information source does provide us with an idea of what is happening out there so we can help make flying safer.
In the meantime, here are the results from the above sources.
Date: September 18, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)
Type: LearJet-35
Injuries: Unknown Uninjured
No Pilot Info.
WING TIP LIGHT COVER
The pilot reported a wing tip light cover was broken and the light bulb was damaged. The airplane diverted to Sky Harbor for repairs and landed without incident.
Date: September 19, 2025
Source: FAA Incident
Location: Eloy Airport (E60)
Type: Two Skydivers
Injuries: 2 Fatalities
No Pilot Involved
PARACHUTES ENTANGLED
During Foreign Military Training two parachutists collided, and their parachutes became entangled. They were unable to cut free in time, and both impacted the ground.
Date: October 1, 2025
Source: ASN, FAA
Location: Tolleson
Type: Amazon MK30 Drones
Injuries: None
No Pilot Involved
COLLISION WITH EXTENDED CRANE
Two drones were flying northeast back-to-back when they both struck an extended crane being used for roof work at a business, resulting in a post crash fire. The drone damage was substantial.
Date: October 5, 2025
Source: ASN
Location: Gila Bend (E63)
Type: Piper PA 30-160 Twin Commanche
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
No Pilot Info.
LANDING INCIDENT
The airplane departed Tucson Ryan Field and was involved in a landing incident at Gila Bend.
Date: October 10, 2025
Source: ASN
Location: Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
Type: Cessna 185C
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
No Pilot Info.
CRASHED ON SHORT FINAL
The airplane crashed on short final due to unknown reasons and came to rest inverted. The single occupant self-evacuated and declined medical attention. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the tail.
Date: October 17, 2025
Source: ASN
Location: Casa Grande Airport (CGZ)
Type: Flight Design CTSW
Injuries: 1 Minor Injury
No Pilot Info.
LOSS OF POWER
The aircraft departed Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ) and sustained substantial damage when it crashed and flipped over during a forced landing approach to Casa Grande Municipal Airport.
Date: October 18, 2025
Source: ASN
Location: Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
Type: Cessna L-19
Injuries: 1 Minor Injury
No Pilot Info.
LOSS OF CONTROL LANDING
During a local flight they experienced a loss of control when landing.
Date: October 19, 2025
Source: ASN
Location: Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
Type: Piper PA 46-350P Malibu
Injuries: 1 Uninjured
No Pilot Info.
COLLISION WITH POWER LINE
After departing Show Low airport, the aircraft made a low pass near Pegasus Airport, struck a power line, and proceeded to Mesa Falcon Field, and landed.