Small Plane Crashes at Montana Airport, Sparks Fire After Striking Parked Aircraft — No Major Injuries Reported
A routine landing attempt turned into a fiery crash on Monday afternoon when a small private plane veered off course and collided with multiple parked aircraft at Kalispell City Airport in northwestern Montana, igniting a significant blaze but miraculously causing no life-threatening injuries.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:00 p.m. local time, according to statements from Kalispell Police Chief Jordan Venezio and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The aircraft involved was a Socata TBM 700 single-engine turboprop, carrying four people onboard.
Loss of Control During Landing Leads to Collision and Fire
Preliminary findings from authorities indicate that the pilot lost control while attempting to land, causing the aircraft to crash onto the runway. The impact caused the plane to careen into several stationary aircraft, igniting fires on multiple planes that quickly spread across the area. A patch of nearby grassland also caught fire, though fire crews were able to bring the blaze under control before it caused wider damage.
Witnesses Describe Chaotic Scene
Witnesses on the ground reported a dramatic scene as the aircraft crashed near the end of the runway. Kalispell Fire Chief Jay Hagen confirmed that the plane collided with at least one other aircraft after its failed landing. Eyewitnesses described hearing a loud, thunderous noise, followed by thick plumes of black smoke rising from the crash site.
“It sounded like if you were to stick your head inside a bass drum and someone hit it with full force,” said Ron Danielson, manager of an inn located near the airport. He saw the immediate aftermath, including the towering smoke cloud and emergency responders rushing to the scene.
All Four Occupants Survive; Two Sustain Minor Injuries
Fortunately, all four individuals aboard the plane were able to exit the aircraft unassisted once it came to a halt. Two of the passengers sustained minor injuries and received on-site medical attention, according to Fire Chief Hagen. There were no fatalities or critical injuries, which officials say is remarkable given the scale of the impact and resulting fire.
Aircraft and Ownership Details
FAA records identify the downed aircraft as a Socata TBM 700, built in 2011 and registered to Meter Sky LLC, a company based in Pullman, Washington. The flight originated from Pullman, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Representatives from Meter Sky LLC did not respond to requests for comment at the time of reporting.
Airport and Community Context
The Kalispell City Airport is a small, municipally-owned facility located just south of Kalispell, a city with a population of about 30,000 residents. The airport is primarily used for general aviation and small private aircraft, and it does not serve commercial airliners.
The crash prompted a temporary closure of the runway while emergency services conducted fire suppression, assessed structural damage, and began investigations.
Expert Insight: Not Uncommon in General Aviation
While dramatic, aviation experts note that incidents involving small planes colliding with parked aircraft are not unprecedented. Jeff Guzzetti, a former crash investigator for both the FAA and NTSB, stated that these types of runway incidents occur “a few times each year” in general aviation, typically due to mechanical failure, pilot error, or environmental factors.
He referenced a notable case from February, when a Learjet owned by musician Vince Neil veered off the runway in Scottsdale, Arizona, and struck a parked Gulfstream jet. That crash resulted in one fatality and remains under investigation.
Investigation Underway
The NTSB has launched a formal investigation into the Kalispell crash to determine the precise cause. Investigators will examine weather conditions, pilot experience, aircraft maintenance records, and airport infrastructure as part of their inquiry.
