‘100% a Miracle’: Seaplane Makes Emergency Landing on Busy Phoenix Road
A pilot and two passengers narrowly escaped tragedy Sunday afternoon when their seaplane suffered an engine failure, forcing an emergency landing in the heart of central Phoenix. Despite landing on a typically congested roadway, all three occupants walked away with only minor injuries in what officials are calling a miracle.
Engine Failure Forces Emergency Descent
The incident began during a joyride around the Valley. The aircraft, a privately-owned Republic RC-3, had taken off from Hangar Hacienda, a private runway located in Laveen. According to the pilot, Mike Tragarz, the plane was cruising at approximately 2,500 feet when the engine gave out and the aircraft lost power.
Tragarz reported that he initially considered calling for a mayday to Sky Harbor Airport, but quickly realized the plane was losing altitude too rapidly to make it to the airfield. Forced to locate a landing spot immediately, Tragarz scanned the area for a clear opening.
“I decided to literally look around and pick the best spot, and I couldn’t believe it looked like a landing strip,” Tragarz told 12News. “Literally, there were no cars.”
Precision Landing on 7th Street
The aircraft made an “emergency gear-up landing” on 7th Street, between Missouri Avenue and Camelback Road. Passenger Hanan Haskell praised the pilot’s quick reflexes, noting that Tragarz dipped the plane’s wing at the last second to avoid striking a street sign.
While the plane skidded to a stop on the roadway, it did strike some landscaping and a water main. Although, the landing was remarkably clean in terms of casualties; no pedestrians, vehicles, or buildings were hit. Phoenix Fire Captain DJ Lee emphasized the rarity of the situation, stating, “It’s 100% a miracle. This is a very busy street… But for whatever reason, when he crashed in this little area, all of the traffic was away.”
Key Incident Details
- Aircraft Type: Republic RC-3 seaplane
- Location: 7th Street, central Phoenix, AZ
- Casualties: Three people injured (minor injuries only)
- Damage: Water main and landscaping struck; no vehicles or buildings hit
- Cause: Engine failure at 2,500 feet
Investigation and Local Context
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the cause of the engine failure. The pilot involved brought over 40 years of flying experience to the emergency, a factor that likely contributed to the safe outcome.
This incident follows a string of recent aviation accidents in Arizona. On Wednesday, two individuals, Chris and Jacque Sheafe, were killed when a Piper PA-32 ran off the runway at Marana Regional Airport. On the same day, a Cessna T-41B veered off the runway at the Sun Valley-Bison-Fort Mohave Airport and crashed into a residential garage, resulting in hospitalizations for the two people on board, as reported by the New York Post.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were there any fatalities in the Phoenix seaplane crash?
No. The pilot and two passengers all survived with only minor injuries.
What caused the plane to land on the road?
The pilot reported that the engine gave out while cruising at 2,500 feet, leading to a total loss of power.
Did the crash cause significant property damage?
The plane struck a water main and some landscaping, but no buildings or other vehicles were damaged.
As crews worked through Sunday evening to remove the aircraft and repair the damaged water main, the focus remains on the FAA’s investigation to determine why the Republic RC-3 suffered a power loss mid-flight.