Small Plane Crashes Into Parked Aircraft, Minor Injuries Montana Airport

A single-engine Socata TBM 700 turboprop carrying four people crashed at Kalispell City Airport in Montana during a landing attempt, striking multiple parked planes and igniting fires that spread to a nearby grassy area. Despite the dramatic incident, all passengers exited the aircraft safely, with only minor injuries reported and treated at the scene. The crash caused thick black smoke and significant damage to several planes, temporarily grounding nearby flights and prompting an emergency response to extinguish the flames. Preliminary investigations indicated the pilot lost control of the aircraft before the collision, with the plane registered to Meter Sky LLC of Pullman, Washington. Aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti noted that while such crashes into parked aircraft happen a few times annually in general aviation, they can be severe, citing a previous fatal incident involving a Learjet in Arizona. Witnesses described the crash's impact as extremely loud, likening it to a powerful drumbeat, underscoring the frightening nature of the event.