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Montana plane crash: Two aircraft collide on runway, spark huge fire; no casualties
A small aircraft crashed into a parked plane at Kalispell City Airport in Montana on Monday, causing a major fire but no serious injuries.
A small aircraft at crashed into a parked plane at the Kalispell City Airport of United States' Montana on Monday, leading to a massive fire but caused no serious injuries, according to authorities.
The single-engine plane was carrying four people and was attempting to land at about 2 pm at the Kalispell City Airport, Associated Press news agency quoted Kalispell Police chief Jordan Venezio and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Montana plane crash | What we know
– What aircraft was it: A Socata TBM 700 turboprop aircraft collided with an unoccupied plane on the ground, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Kalispell fire chief Jay Hagen said the impact led to a fire that spread to a nearby grassy area before being extinguished. He added that several aircraft were involved in the incident.
– Casualties: The aircraft attempting to land caught fire, but the pilot and three passengers managed to escape on their own after the plane came to a stop, according to Hagen. Two passengers sustained minor injuries and were treated at the airport.
– Where did it happen: The incident took place at Kalispell City Airport, a small, city-owned airport located just south of Kalispell, a northwest Montana city with a population of about 30,000.
– What witnesses saw: Witnesses reported that the plane approached from the south, crash-landed at the end of the runway, and then slammed into another aircraft, Hagen said. Ron Danielson, manager of a nearby inn, described hearing and seeing the crash moments before thick black smoke filled the area.
“It sounded like if you were to stick your head in a bass drum and somebody smacked it as hard as they could,” AP quoted him as saying.
– Who owns the aircraft: FAA records cited in the report indicate the aircraft was built in 2011 and is registered to Meter Sky LLC of Pullman, Washington. The company has yet to issue a statement on the incident.
