Two Planes in Phoenix Crash, Killing Four

Two small planes collided in the air just above north Phoenix Friday, killing four people who were aboard, according to the Associated Press.

The collision occurred about 15 miles northwest of Deer Valley Airport, Ian McGregor of the Federal Aviation Administration told AZ Central.

"Both of them collided. We don't know how or what," Phoenix Fire Department Captain Larry Nunez told AP. "The skies are clear."

Phoenix and Daisy Mountain Fire Department officials said that the two planes were each carrying two people.

One of the planes came from Bird Acquisition LLC, where it was registered. The company does business with TransPac Aviation Academy, a commercial pilot school located in north Phoenix.

The business said that they were still in the midst of getting together details concerning the crash. They did not provide any comment.

Those that saw the planes crash into one another were unaware of the directions in which the two aircrafts were headed.

Firefighters responded to reports in an area west of Lake Pleasant and found the two planes. One was alight, as it caught on fire after it hit the other aircraft. It was destroyed from both the impact and the subsequent flames.

The other plane, a small aircraft called a Piper Archer, was found about 100 yards away from the first plane, with two deceased male occupants.

Despite initial inklings that there might have been survivors, Chief Gary Bernard of the Peoria Fire Department said upon closer inspection, all parties involved had died.

Capt. Darren Salotti of the Daisy Mountain Fire Department told AZ Central that the Piper Archer looks as though it had attempted landing before crashing into the other plane.

The passengers' identities have yet to be released, but that does not change the horrific nature of the crash.

"This is a tragic event," Sgt. Steve Martos said sadly.