Latest news with #UniversalStinson108
New York Post
an hour ago
- General
- New York Post
Pilot in deadly crash tried to dodge turtle on North Carolina runway, NTSB finds
A small private plane tried to dodge a turtle on a North Carolina runway before crashing into a wooded area earlier this month, killing the pilot and a passenger on board, officials said. The pilot of the Universal Stinson 108 was attempting to touch down at Sugar Valley Airport just before noon on June 3 when a communications operator advised that the shelled reptile was on the runway, according to a National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report released Friday. The pilot initially landed the plane about halfway down the 2,424-foot runway, then lifted the right main wheel and advanced the throttle to take off again in an attempt to avoid the terrapin, the report said. Advertisement Aerial view of Sugar Valley Airport runway, where a deadly crash occurred after a pilot tried to avoid a turtle. Sugar Valley Airport The operator told officials she lost sight of the aircraft shortly before it crashed into a heavily wooded area roughly 255 feet past the runway and burst into flames in Mocksville, about 60 miles north of Charlotte. The plane was found wedged between several trees and largely intact, except for a few pieces of fabric discovered in a nearby stream, officials said. Advertisement A man cutting grass near the end of the runway also witnessed the pilot lift the wheel to spare the turtle, then saw the plane's wings rocking as it took off again — before losing sight of the aircraft and later hearing a loud crash followed by billowing smoke. A second passenger was seriously injured in the crash. The reptile was on the runway at Sugar Valley Airport in Mocksville, causing the pilot of the Universal Stinson 108 to crash when they tried to avoid it, the NTSB said Friday. AP The victims' identities have not been released. Advertisement The wreckage and engine were preserved after the crash for further examination. The deadly incident occurred nearly two months after a rabbit was sucked into a United Airlines plane's engine, sparking a fire and forcing an emergency landing. Shocking footage captured flames shooting from one of the engines shortly after the Canada-bound plane departed Denver International Airport in Colorado. The FAA reported more than 20,000 aircraft wildlife strikes in 2024 alone — most of them birds.
NBC News
3 hours ago
- General
- NBC News
Pilot killed in North Carolina crash was trying to avoid hitting turtle on runway
MOCKSVILLE, N.C. — The pilot of a small plane that crashed near a North Carolina airport this month had raised a wheel after landing to avoid hitting a turtle on the runway, according to a National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report. The pilot of the Universal Stinson 108 and a passenger were killed in the June 3 crash near Sugar Valley Airport in Mocksville, officials said. A second passenger was seriously injured in the crash. A communications operator looking out the airport office window advised the pilot that there was a turtle on the runway, according to the report released this week. The operator reported that the pilot landed about 1,400 feet down the 2,424-foot runway, then lifted the right main wheel to avoid the turtle. The operator heard the pilot advance the throttle after raising the wheel, but the airplane left her view after that. A man cutting the grass at the end of the runway reported seeing the pilot raise the right wheel to avoid the turtle, then the wings rocked back and forth and the plane took off again, according to the report. The man lost sight of the plane and then he heard a crash and saw smoke. The plane crashed in a heavily forested area about 255 feet from the runway and caught fire, officials said. The plane was wedged between several trees and remained in one piece except for a few pieces of fabric found in a nearby stream. It came to rest on its left side with the left wing folded underneath the fuselage and the right wing bent toward the tail. Preliminary reports contain facts collected on scene, but don't speculate on probable causes, according to the NTSB's website. Those are included in final reports, which can take one to two years to complete.
6 hours ago
- General
Pilot killed in small plane crash in North Carolina raised a wheel to avoid a turtle, NTSB says
MOCKSVILLE, N.C. -- The pilot of a small plane that crashed near a North Carolina airport this month had raised a wheel after landing to avoid hitting a turtle on the runway, according to a National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report. The pilot of the Universal Stinson 108 and a passenger were killed in the June 3 crash near Sugar Valley Airport in Mocksville, officials said. A second passenger was seriously injured in the crash. A communications operator looking out the airport office window advised the pilot that there was a turtle on the runway, according to the report released this week. The operator reported that the pilot landed about 1,400 feet (427 meters) down the 2,424-foot (739-meter) runway, then lifted the right main wheel to avoid the turtle. The operator heard the pilot advance the throttle after raising the wheel, but the airplane left her view after that. A man cutting the grass at the end of the runway reported seeing the pilot raise the right wheel to avoid the turtle, then the wings rocked back and forth and the plane took off again, according to the report. The man lost sight of the plane and then he heard a crash and saw smoke. The plane crashed in a heavily forested area about 255 feet (78 meters) from the runway and caught fire, officials said. The plane was wedged between several trees and remained in one piece except for a few pieces of fabric found in a nearby stream. It came to rest on its left side with the left wing folded underneath the fuselage and the right wing bent toward the tail. Preliminary reports contain facts collected on scene, but don't speculate on probable causes, according to the NTSB's website. Those are included in final reports, which can take one to two years to complete.
Indian Express
8 hours ago
- General
- Indian Express
Pilot killed in small plane crash in North Carolina raised a wheel to avoid a turtle
The pilot of a small plane that crashed near a North Carolina airport this month had raised a wheel after landing to avoid hitting a turtle on the runway, according to a National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report. The pilot of the Universal Stinson 108 and a passenger were killed in the June 3 crash near Sugar Valley Airport in Mocksville, officials said. A second passenger was seriously injured in the crash. A communications operator looking out the airport office window advised the pilot that there was a turtle on the runway, according to the report released this week. The operator reported that the pilot landed about 1,400 feet (427 meters) down the 2,424-foot (739-meter) runway, then lifted the right main wheel to avoid the turtle. The operator heard the pilot advance the throttle after raising the wheel, but the airplane left her view after that. A man cutting the grass at the end of the runway reported seeing the pilot raise the right wheel to avoid the turtle, then the wings rocked back and forth and the plane took off again, according to the report. The man lost sight of the plane and then he heard a crash and saw smoke. The plane crashed in a heavily forested area about 255 feet (78 meters) from the runway and caught fire, officials said. The plane was wedged between several trees and remained in one piece except for a few pieces of fabric found in a nearby stream. It came to rest on its left side with the left wing folded underneath the fuselage and the right wing bent toward the tail. Preliminary reports contain facts collected on scene, but don't speculate on probable causes, according to the NTSB's website. Those are included in final reports, which can take one to two years to complete.
Toronto Sun
10 hours ago
- General
- Toronto Sun
Pilot killed in small plane crash in North Carolina raised a wheel to avoid a turtle, NTSB says
Published Jun 20, 2025 • 1 minute read A file photo of police crime scene tape. Photo by Postmedia Network MOCKSVILLE, N.C. — The pilot of a small plane that crashed near a North Carolina airport this month had raised a wheel after landing to avoid hitting a turtle on the runway, according to a National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The pilot of the Universal Stinson 108 and a passenger were killed in the June 3 crash near Sugar Valley Airport in Mocksville, officials said. A second passenger was seriously injured in the crash. A communications operator looking out the airport office window advised the pilot that there was a turtle on the runway, according to the report released this week. The operator reported that the pilot landed about 1,400 feet (427 metres) down the 2,424-foot (739-metre) runway, then lifted the right main wheel to avoid the turtle. The operator heard the pilot advance the throttle after raising the wheel, but the airplane left her view after that. A man cutting the grass at the end of the runway reported seeing the pilot raise the right wheel to avoid the turtle, then the wings rocked back and forth and the plane took off again, according to the report. The man lost sight of the plane and then he heard a crash and saw smoke. The plane crashed in a heavily forested area about 255 feet (78 metres) from the runway and caught fire, officials said. The plane was wedged between several trees and remained in one piece except for a few pieces of fabric found in a nearby stream. It came to rest on its left side with the left wing folded underneath the fuselage and the right wing bent toward the tail. Preliminary reports contain facts collected on scene, but don't speculate on probable causes, according to the NTSB's website. Those are included in final reports, which can take one to two years to complete. Columnists World Toronto & GTA World MMA
