Goodyear residents were shocked as a small plane barreled down onto Via Villa Street following a mechanical issue last Saturday. The aircraft, which had taken off from Glendale Airport, was forced to make an emergency landing after losing power en route to the Phoenix-Goodyear Airport, leaving behind a trail of fuel and concerns among the local community.
Pilot and Goodyear resident Bryan McCarty, alongside James Gordon, both members of Quiet Skies Goodyear, have been vocal critics of the noise pollution caused by the frequent flights in their area, "We are pilot advocates, and we fly," McCarty stated in an ABC15 interview. Their advocacy is gaining new attention in light of the crash, as United's nearby flight training school contributes to the din.
The noise has become a significant issue for the residents, with complaints skyrocketing to nearly 12,500 in 2023, up from 500 the previous year, according to the City of Phoenix, which owns the Goodyear airport. In response, United stated they've worked on "changing flight procedures in ways that should reduce noise around the airport, including shifting the air traffic pattern when safety allows," as per an ABC15 report.
Following the crash, the Goodyear Fire Department and local authorities quickly contained the situation, ensuring the plane's fuel did not pose further risk to residents. Capt. Tim Rayburn from Goodyear Fire Department detailed the incident stating, "They realized they were not going to be able to make it, tried to find a field nearby, Was not able to do that as well. And they landed here in the neighborhood," according to ABC15.
Lorena, a local whose home was nearly struck, expressed her unease, "Now that I hear an aircraft going, it just scares us," she told ABC15, reflecting a growing sentiment in the wake of the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration has commenced an investigation into the cause of the incident, hoping to prevent future occurrences and ease the nerves of Goodyear's residents.
