A plane carrying four people crashed into a parked aircraft at Montana’s Kalispell City Airport on Sunday afternoon, igniting a fire that quickly spread across the scene. The incident occurred around 2 pm when the Socata TBM 700 turboprop aircraft, after arriving from Pullman, Washington, lost control during landing. According to local authorities and federal aviation officials, the pilot was unable to maintain control of the aircraft, causing it to veer into stationary planes on the tarmac. The resulting collision set off multiple fires that also reached nearby grass areas, prompting an urgent firefighting response.
Kalispell Police Chief Jordan Venezio confirmed that while two of the passengers sustained minor injuries, both were treated at the scene and did not require hospitalization. Emergency responders from the Kalispell Fire Department acted swiftly to contain the flames before they could cause further damage to the surrounding airport facilities. Fire Chief Jay Hagen reported that the fire was brought under control despite strong winds and dry conditions that made firefighting efforts more challenging.
United States Representative from Montana, Ryan Zinke, expressed relief that the crash did not result in any fatalities. He stated that his staff was present at the site, assisting local authorities in managing the aftermath of the accident. Zinke emphasized that they would continue to support the community and the airport during the recovery process.
According to preliminary findings by the National Transportation Safety Board, the Socata TBM 700 departed from Pullman earlier that day. Initial investigations suggest that the pilot lost control during the landing phase, leading the aircraft to strike the runway before colliding with multiple parked planes. This chain reaction triggered several fires, some of which spread to the grass surrounding the runway area. The NTSB is conducting a detailed examination to determine the exact cause of the loss of control and to assess whether mechanical failure, pilot error, or environmental factors played a role.
Kalispell City Airport, located northwest of Montana City, is a municipal airport known for handling both private and small commercial flights. The crash temporarily halted all airport operations while debris was cleared and damage assessments were conducted. Several aircraft sustained significant damage, and officials have yet to determine the full extent of repairs needed to restore normal operations.
Local residents reported seeing heavy smoke rising from the airport shortly after the incident, with many sharing videos of the fire on social media. While aviation accidents are relatively rare in the area, the event has raised concerns about landing procedures and runway safety at small municipal airports. Authorities have assured the public that safety measures will be reviewed and strengthened if necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The NTSB will release its final report once the investigation is complete, which may take several months. In the meantime, both federal and local agencies continue to coordinate efforts to ensure that the airport returns to safe and efficient operation as soon as possible. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of aviation and the importance of rigorous safety standards in preventing tragic outcomes.
