Drivers in Phoenix witnessed a plane crash take place on a busy city street on the afternoon of Sunday, April 12.
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Shortly after, firefighters were called out to the intersection of 7th Street and Missouri Avenue in the city's Uptown neighborhood when the aircraft had to make a "forced landing."
The FAA Is Investigating the Plane Crash
The Arizona Republic reports that there were three people on board the Republic RC-3 when it landed around 3:25 p.m. local time. According to Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson Rick Breitenfeldt, the agency is investigating the incident.
The Phoenix Fire Department posted images of the single-engine plane on the roadway on its social media channel.
Even more spectacular than the images shared online is the fact that no one on the plane or in the nearby community was severely injured. Remarkably, the passengers sustained only minor injuries, and none were hospitalized.
The craft avoided any collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians on the busy roadway. No power lines were damaged.
Local television station ABC 15 reports that the plane struck a fire hydrant on its way down. However, the hydrant has been shut off.
Phoenix Fire Department Captain DJ Lee said that the fact there was no one hurt was a "miracle."
Why Did the Plane Crash?
The aircraft took off from a private airport in the nearby city of Laveen at 2:08 p.m. The landing took place a few moments later.
After the forced landing, the National Transportation Safety Board found the emergency was caused by engine problems. Further details are not available yet.
However, the agency could not elaborate further on the cause. Officials added that a preliminary investigation report will be released within 30 days.
Lee told reporters for Arizona's Family that the pilot has over four decades of flying experience. He was trying to find a clear place to land. That just happened to be 7th Street. Traffic was blocked off as crews removed the plane from the road.
A local bus passenger was heading home when she saw the wreckage.
"You're shocked, thinking what's going on. I was driving my wheelchair on the sidewalk, and I got to the German Auto, and I saw an airplane coming four feet above my head," she said.
