A dramatic aviation accident unfolded on Monday at Kalispell City Airport in Montana, when a small private plane collided with a parked aircraft on the runway, sparking a massive fire that sent thick plumes of smoke into the sky. Fortunately, no lives were lost, though two passengers sustained minor injuries.

According to Kalispell Police Chief Jordan Venezio and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the incident occurred around 2:00 pm local time when a single-engine Socata TBM 700 turboprop attempted to land. The aircraft, carrying four people, struck an unoccupied parked plane on the ground. The impact triggered an intense blaze, which spread beyond the runway to a grassy area before fire crews managed to contain it.

Kalispell Fire Chief Jay Hagen confirmed that the plane approached from the south and crash-landed near the end of the runway before colliding with the stationary aircraft. The landing plane immediately caught fire. In a fortunate turn of events, the pilot and three passengers were able to escape the burning aircraft unaided. Two of the passengers suffered minor injuries and received medical treatment at the scene.

The Kalispell City Airport, located just south of a community of about 30,000 residents in northwest Montana, saw several aircraft affected by the collision. While damage assessments are ongoing, authorities confirmed that multiple planes were impacted in the incident.

Witness accounts painted a vivid picture of the crash. Ron Danielson, manager of a nearby inn, recalled the startling moment:

“It sounded like if you were to stick your head in a bass drum and somebody smacked it as hard as they could,” he said, describing the deafening noise followed by thick, dark smoke rising into the air.

FAA records reveal that the Socata TBM 700 involved was built in 2011 and is registered to Meter Sky LLC of Pullman, Washington. The company has not yet issued a public statement regarding the crash.

Aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti, a former crash investigator for both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), explained that while collisions involving moving planes and parked aircraft are uncommon, they are not unprecedented in general aviation. Such incidents typically occur a few times a year.

This latest Montana collision has drawn comparisons to other notable accidents. In February 2025, a Learjet owned by Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil veered off a runway in Scottsdale, Arizona, hitting a parked Gulfstream jet and killing one person. The NTSB suggested that damage to the landing gear before takeoff may have contributed to that tragedy.

In Kalispell’s case, investigations are ongoing, with both the FAA and NTSB expected to examine:

• Pilot handling and approach conditions before landing.

• Runway occupancy and clearance procedures.

• Weather and visibility factors at the time of the crash.

• Aircraft mechanical condition and maintenance history.

Aviation analysts note that while small planes like the Socata TBM 700 are considered reliable, accidents can result from a combination of pilot error, environmental conditions, and technical faults.

The incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks in aviation, even at smaller regional airports. For residents of Kalispell, the fiery aftermath was a stark and shocking scene, though relief quickly spread when it became clear that no fatalities occurred.

Authorities have not yet provided a timeline for when the airport will resume full operations, as safety inspections and damage repairs are underway. The FAA’s final report could take several months to complete.

Until then, Kalispell’s aviation community — and the families of those involved — are counting their blessings that this high-impact runway collision ended without a loss of life.

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