A small aircraft, landing at the Kalispell City Airport in Montana on Monday, collided with a parked aircraft, sparking a large fire, as reported by both local authorities and the Federal Aviation Administration. Remarkably, no serious injuries were recorded.
The single-engine plane, identified by the FAA as a Socata TBM 700 turboprop, was carrying four passengers and was attempting a landing around 2 p.m. According to Kalispell Police Chief Jordan Venezio, preliminary investigations indicate that the pilot lost control on the runway, leading to the plane striking several stationary aircraft and igniting fires on multiple planes.
The fire, fed by the aircraft, spread to a nearby grassy area before it was eventually contained and extinguished. Witness accounts corroborate the police report, stating that the plane crash-landed at the end of the runway, veering into another aircraft. The passengers, fortunately, were able to exit the aircraft unassisted after it came to a stop, with two sustaining minor injuries and receiving treatment at the airport.
Aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti, a former crash investigator for both the FAA and NTSB, notes that incidents of planes colliding with parked aircraft occur several times a year within general aviation. This raises important questions about the safety protocols in place for aircraft movement on the ground.
The plane, built in 2011 and owned by Meter Sky LLC of Pullman, Washington, ignited multiple fires upon impact, a scenario that could have had far more grave consequences. It’s a stark reminder of the inherent risks in aviation, even in the seemingly routine task of landing.
In conclusion, while this incident resulted in no serious injuries, it underscores the ongoing need for rigorous safety measures within the aviation industry.
