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Plane crashes shortly after takeoff in Mesa
The crash, according to fire officials, happened near Falcon Field in Mesa. No injuries were reported.
MESA, Ariz. - A small plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Mesa's Falcon Field on the afternoon of Dec. 19, according to Mesa Fire officials.
In a statement, fire officials said the plane suffered some sort of mechanical issue, possibly an engine that went out, shortly after takeoff.
"The pilot attempted to turn back to the airfield. It was determined the aircraft did not have enough altitude to accomplish this and the pilot elected to put the plane down on a dirt road in the nearby orange groves. The plane touched down, struck a tree stump and spun around, suffering heavy damage," read a portion of the statement.
The pilot and another person onboard got themselves out of the plane, according to officials.
"There was no fire and no injuries," fire officials said.
The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash.