Payson, AZ – Blaine Mathews Killed & 2 Injured in Plane Crash in Mazatzal Mountains
Payson, AZ (January 25, 2020) – A Mesa man is dead and two others are injured after their plane crashed southwest of Payson in the Mazatzal Mountains on Friday afternoon.
According to the Gila County Sheriff’s Office spokesman, J. Adam Shepherd, the Sheriff’s Office received a call at 3:12 p.m. from an individual reporting that their plane had crashed in the Mazatzal Mountains. Three passengers were reported on board at the time of the accident.
Once the plane was located, Mesa residents Colten Egbert, 21, and Spencer Berns, 29, were recovered and airlifted to local hospitals in the Valley. The extent of their injuries was not provided.
Blaine Mathews, 59, also of Mesa, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash. FAA spokesperson Allen Kenitzer said that the plane, a Piper P28A, crashed under unknown circumstances.
Our condolences go out to the family of Blaine Mathews at this time. Our thoughts are with the injured victims in hopes of a full recovery.
Fatal Airplane Accidents in Arizona
According to the latest data released by the Aviation Safety Network, only one fatality accident occurs in every three million flights. Furthermore, injuries and crashes involving small planes are more common and can occur due to pilot error, faulty equipment or inclement weather. Though airplane accidents are rare, they are often traumatic, both physically and emotionally.
And if you’ve sustained injuries in a plane crash or lost a loved one, you should contact a personal injury attorney to review your options.
At ELG Law, our team of attorneys is dedicated to helping you get the justice you deserve after a serious accident. Our experienced, highly-skilled attorneys have spent years fighting for victims and their families and are ready to help you today. Contact us to set up your free consultation at (623) 562-3838.
Note: As a result of the secondary sources that were used to complete this post, the information included within has not been independently verified by our own staff and may include misinformation. If you read something that, to your knowledge, is incorrect, please contact us as soon as possible and we will correct the inaccuracy.
Disclaimer: As members of the local Phoenix and broader Arizona community, we hope everyone in our community is safe and protected. We cover the events included in this blog as a way to offer support to the victims in similar circumstances and to provide relief during these difficult times. However, this information should not be misconstrued as legal advice, and you should speak with a trained legal professional for more information regarding your situation.
