This story has been corrected to show that the pilot did not try to extinguish the flames before the plane crashed. The skydivers were scheduled to take part in the town’s annual Constitution Fair when the Cessna 182 crashed after its wing caught fire for unknown reasons, according to Gilbert Fire Department spokesman Gary Hildebrandt.
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The four skydivers jumped from the plane, landing as planned during a fair at a city facility about a half-mile away from where the plane crashed, Ehrman said.
The Associated Press could not reach Sharon and Peter LeBeau, but they told some Phoenix-area media Monday they were thankful for first responders and family and friends who had reached out to them. A man and woman had been inside the home at the time were able to escape the blaze without injury, police said. “I’ve never seen so much compassion and kindness”.
Erhman said the home was a total loss due to the impact and the ensuing fire, but he said the two people in the home got out safely with their pets.
A couple inside the home – which was completely destroyed – was not injured and have declined requests for an interview. Gilbert Fire Rescue officials tweeted that the pilot was hospitalised to treat minor burns as he was the last to eject himself out of the aircraft.
While Mason Paulette, another witness, said: “I saw a ball of flame straight down”, he said.
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FAA online records list the plane as being registered to a Chandler business.
