Small Plane Collision at Montana Airport Causes Fire
Incident Overview
On Monday afternoon, a serious incident unfolded at Kalispell City Airport in Montana when a small aircraft's landing attempt went awry. The crash occurred around 2 PM, resulting in a collision between a single-engine plane and a stationary aircraft, which ignited a fire. Fortunately, authorities reported that there were no serious injuries despite the extensive damage caused by the incident.
Details of the Crash
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that the Socata TBM 700 turboprop was carrying four individuals when it struck an unoccupied plane on the ground. Footage from the scene captured the flames rapidly spreading to the surrounding grass before firefighters managed to control the blaze. Kalispell Police Chief Jordan Venezio confirmed that several aircraft were affected by the crash, and the FAA is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the event.
Eyewitness Accounts
Kalispell Fire Chief Jay Hagen reported that witnesses observed the plane approaching from the south before it crash-landed at the runway's end, colliding with another aircraft. Despite the fire, all four occupants of the plane managed to escape without assistance. The aircraft, registered to Meter Sky LLC from Pullman, Washington, was manufactured in 2011, according to FAA records.
Expert Insights
Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti noted that incidents involving planes crashing into parked aircraft on runways are not uncommon in general aviation, occurring frequently each year.