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A small plane crashed into parked aircraft while attempting to land at Kalispell City Airport in Montana on Monday (August 11), igniting a large fire. According to Kalispell Police Chief Jordan Venezio and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the single-engine plane, a Socata TBM 700 turboprop, was carrying four people. The plane lost control and crashed onto the runway around 2 p.m., striking several parked aircraft and causing fires on multiple planes. The fire spread to a grassy area but was eventually extinguished.
Kalispell Fire Chief Jay Hagen stated that the passengers managed to exit the plane on their own, with two individuals sustaining minor injuries and receiving treatment at the airport. Witnesses reported the plane crash-landing at the end of the runway before colliding with another aircraft. Ron Danielson, a nearby inn manager, described the crash as sounding like a loud drumbeat.
The flight originated from Pullman, Washington, and the plane is owned by Meter Sky LLC of Pullman.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.