Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

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Matt Thurber

On November 5 at about 4:40 p.m., Honda Aircraft HondaJet N57HP crashed during takeoff from Falcon Field (KFFZ) in Mesa, Arizona, seriously injuring one occupant and resulting in the death of four people and one person on the ground in a vehicle.&nbsp;
According to the FAA <a href="https://www.asias.faa.gov/apex/f?p=100:95:::NO::P95_EVENT_LCL_DATE,P95_LOC_CITY_NAME,P95_REGIST_NBR:05-NOV-24,MESA,N57HP">preliminary accident report</a>, “[The] aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances on takeoff and struck a vehicle off airport property and [resulted in a] post-crash fire…” The HondaJet is registered to Ice Man Holdings in Mesa and, according to reports, was based at KFFZ.
Weather and visibility appear to not be a factor—wind was calm and skies were clear around the time of the accident. Data recorded by ADS-B Exchange shows that the HondaJet accelerated to 133 knots groundspeed on 5,100-foot Runway 22L just before taxiway D3, about 1,300 feet from the end of the runway, then slowed to 103 knots by the runway end. The last data point shows the jet at 71 knots before crossing the perimeter fence. After hitting a vehicle on Greenfield Road, the HondaJet caught on fire.
The NTSB is investigating the accident, which is the first HondaJet mishap to involve fatalities.
Honda Aircraft released this statement: "Honda Aircraft Company is aware of the tragic accident involving a customer-operated aircraft at Falcon Field near Mesa, Arizona on November 5, 2024. We are deeply saddened by this event, and we extend our sympathies to all affected.
"At Honda Aircraft Company, safety is our highest priority. We are giving our fullest cooperation to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as a party to their ongoing investigation into the circumstances of this accident. "Honda Aircraft Company offers its sincerest condolences the individuals whose lives have been touched by this accident."

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