Published: Oct. 11, 2025, at 3:15 AM GMT+7
No one was seriously hurt after a small plane had a rough landing and ended up on its roof at Deer Valley Airport in Phoenix on Friday afternoon.
According to airport officials, the aircraft — a Cessna 180 — flipped over while attempting to land around midday. The pilot, who was the only person on board, managed to free himself from the overturned plane without serious injury. He was evaluated at the scene but did not require transport to the hospital.
Firefighters and airport emergency crews responded quickly, securing the area and inspecting the aircraft for fuel leaks or fire hazards. The runway where the crash occurred was temporarily closed while crews used a crane to lift and remove the damaged plane. Airport operations resumed later in the afternoon once the scene was cleared.
Officials at the scene said the cause of the incident remains unclear. There were no immediate signs of mechanical failure or hazardous weather conditions, but investigators have not ruled out any possibilities. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has taken over the investigation, which is standard procedure for aviation accidents of this nature.
Deer Valley Airport, located in north Phoenix, is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the country, handling hundreds of private and training flights each day. Incidents like this are rare, but aviation experts note that even experienced pilots can face unexpected challenges during landing.
Fortunately, the quick response of emergency teams and the pilot’s ability to remain calm helped prevent any serious injuries. The FAA is expected to release additional details once the investigation determines what led to the crash.
