3 injured when student plane crashes into home near north Phoenix airport

PHOENIX – Three people were injured when a student plane crashed into a home near Deer Valley Airport in north Phoenix on Wednesday morning, authorities said.

Emergency crews responded around 7:30 a.m. after the small commuter plane crashed into a residential neighborhood east of the airport near Cave Creek and Deer Valley roads, according to the Phoenix Fire Department.

It was a student and flight instructor who crashed. @ColtonKrolak pic.twitter.com/x4DFROE5ZL

— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) March 4, 2026

Capt. Todd Keller told reporters at the scene the student plane departed from Deer Valley Airport and was returning after experiencing a mechanical issue. It crashed into one home before landing in the backyard of another.

The student and instructor onboard were injured along with one person inside the first house.

“Fortunately, everyone was transported in stable condition,” Keller said.

What kind of plane crashed into home near Deer Valley Airport?

The plane is a Piper PA-28, according to preliminary information from the Federal Aviation Administration, which will investigate the incident.

HAPPENING NOW: Crews are investigating after a small plane crashed into a home near Cave Creek Road and Deer Valley Drive. https://t.co/oXY3CpzFcu pic.twitter.com/9xrwEjh4HE

— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) March 4, 2026

News helicopter footage from the scene showed the wrecked aircraft nosedown in a backyard and at least two houses with exterior damage.

Keller said a wing from the student plane was stuck on top of the house it struck.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Colton Krolak contributed to this report.

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