Police identify victims from airplane crash at Scottsdale golf course

PHOENIX — Six people who were killed in an airplane crash at the TPC Scottsdale golf club Monday night have been identified, according to the Scottsdale Police Department.

Police said the small plane left nearby Scottsdale Airport around 8:45 p.m. and hit the ground on the Champions Course shortly after takeoff.

The 1970 Piper PA-24 caught fire, Allen Kenitzer, a spokesman with the Federal Aviation Administration, said.

The victims were identified Wednesday as Erik Valente, James Louis Pedroza, Mariah Sunshine Coogan, Anand Anil Patel, Helena Lagos and Iris Carolina Rodriguez Garcia.

A video of the six boarding the plane was taken just before they took off.

They were all between the ages of 22 and 28.

Scottsdale Airport and the golf course are across the street from each other near Hayden and Bell roads.

Just witnessed a plane crash in Scottsdale. pic.twitter.com/wmZz008JSQ

— Versace King (@versaceking101) April 10, 2018

A Piper PA-24 is a small, four- or six-seat plane.

Scottsdale Police and Fire currently on scene of downed aircraft on the TPC- 8100 E Bell Rd. No information on injuries at this point. PIO in route

— ScottsdalePD (@ScottsdalePD) April 10, 2018

No one on the ground was injured.

The National Transportation Safety Board investigated the accident.

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