Small plane crashes into parked aircraft in Montana

A small plane accident on Monday, August 11, 2025, at a Montana airport resulted in a collision with parked aircraft and ignited a large fire, though no serious injuries were reported, according to authorities.

The single-engine aircraft, carrying four individuals, attempted to land around 2 p.m. at Kalispell City Airport, as reported by Kalispell Police Chief Jordan Venezio and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Preliminary findings indicate that the pilot lost control, causing the plane to crash onto the runway and subsequently collide with several parked aircraft, initiating multiple fires, Kalispell police stated. The fire extended to a nearby grassy area before it was brought under control, Chief Venezio noted.

Kalispell City Airport, a small facility owned by the city, is located just south of the city of Kalispell, which has a population of around 30,000 and is situated in northwest Montana.

Eyewitnesses reported that the plane crash-landed at the runway's end and collided with another aircraft, according to Kalispell Fire Chief Jay Hagen.

The four passengers managed to exit the aircraft independently once it came to a halt, Chief Hagen reported. Two individuals sustained minor injuries and were treated onsite, he added.

Ron Danielson, who manages a nearby inn, recounted hearing and seeing the crash, followed by thick smoke enveloping the area.

"It was like having your head inside a bass drum when someone strikes it with full force," Danielson described.

The flight had originated from Pullman, Washington, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed.

Identified by the FAA, the plane was a 2011 Socata TBM 700 turboprop owned by Meter Sky LLC of Pullman. Company representatives were not immediately available for comment.

Aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti, previously an investigator with both the FAA and NTSB, remarked that incidents involving planes crashing into parked aircraft occur several times annually in general aviation.

For context, in February there was a notable incident in Scottsdale, Arizona, where a Learjet owned by Motley Crue singer Vince Neil went off the runway and struck a parked Gulfstream, resulting in one fatality. The NTSB suggested that damage to the landing gear might have contributed, although the cause is still under investigation.