Today we're in Addison, Texas for the 2026 ARFF Leadership Symposium.
Here are your stories to start the week...
Be safe out there, and if you're at the conference, stop by the Simulation/Alpine Metal Tech booth to say hi!
Tom
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Fort Worth police helicopter makes emergency landing after mechanical issue, department says
By S.E. Jenkins
A helicopter pilot and tactical flight officer were taken to the hospital after a Fort Worth police helicopter made an emergency landing late Saturday night, the department said.
Around 10:15 p.m., Air One took off from the heliport at Meacham Airport to assist on a call for service in the Central Division. Air One reached about 100 feet when it experienced a mechanical issue, Fort Worth police said.
The pilot tried to make it back to the helipad, but had to make an emergency landing on airport property, just short of the helipad, according to the department. The pilot and tactical flight officer were the only two on board. Both were evaluated by the Fort Worth Fire Department for minor injuries and taken to the hospital as a precaution, Fort Worth police said.
The Fort Worth Police Department said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating.
https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/fort-worth-police-helicopter-emergency-landing/
Injured pilot was pinned in crashed plane and ‘had to be cut out,’ NC cops say
By Mark Price
An aircraft crashed in the Indian Trail area of Union County, leaving the pilot pinned inside until rescuers could cut him out, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
It happened around 2 p.m. Sunday in the 5800 block of N. Rocky River Road, and both the pilot and a passenger were hospitalized, the sheriff’s office said in a March 8 news release.
“When deputies arrived on scene, they found that the passenger had been ejected from the aircraft. First responders quickly loaded the passenger into an ambulance and transported them to Goose Creek Airport, where they were airlifted to a hospital,” the sheriff’s office said.
“The pilot was pinned inside the aircraft and had to be cut out by rescue crews. Once freed, the pilot was transported to the hospital by ambulance.”
The identities of the two people have not been released, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation, officials said.
The point of impact was a cow pasture and one wing and a wheel were severed off the single-engine aircraft, WSOC reported. Inquisitive cows eventually surrounded the wreckage, the station said.
“Heard the crash when it landed. When it hit the ground, the lady who lives in our house here, she called me and said a plane was down in a pasture,” property owner Doug Rowell told WSOC.
The crash site is about a 30-mile drive southeast from uptown Charlotte.
https://www.heraldonline.com/news/state/north-carolina/article314977749.html
United Airlines plane strikes deicing truck at Denver International Airport, 1 taken to hospital
By Jennifer McRae
A United Airlines plane struck a deicing truck at Denver International Airport on Friday morning, forcing all passengers aboard to deplane. According to investigators, United Airlines Flight 605 struck the truck around 8:30 a.m., and an employee of the deicing contractor was rushed to the hospital. 
The collision happened in an area where air traffic control does not manage aircraft, according to investigators.
The passengers deplaned and were bused to the terminal.
The flight, a Boeing 737-800 was set to depart from Denver to Nashville. A total of 122 customers and six crewmembers were on board.
Investigators said the FAA will investigate the collision. The extent of the injuries to the employee was not released.
United Airlines issued this statement: "A de-icing truck made contact with a United aircraft in Denver on Friday morning, leading to an employee of the de-icing contractor being transported to the hospital. Customers deplaned via air stairs and were bused to the terminal, and we will arrange for a different aircraft to operate their flight."
Friday was a First Alert Weather Day in Colorado, with CBS Colorado First Alert meteorologists saying a winter weather advisory was in place for much of the state as much-needed snow fell across several parts of Colorado.
The images show it snowing heavily at the airport at the time of the collision.
https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/united-airlines-plane-strikes-deicing-truck-denver-international-airport-passengers-evacuated/
Emergency plane landing brings an unexpected slowdown on Jupiter road
by Skyler Shepard
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — Indiantown Road commuters hit a surprise slowdown Friday after an airplane quite literally dropped into the afternoon rush.
The Town of Jupiter says westbound Indiantown Road, near Pennock Lane, was temporarily reduced to one lane of traffic after an airplane made an emergency landing near the busy corridor. The road has since reopened.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue said it happened at around 2:30 p.m., and crews were at the scene and reported no injuries on the aircraft or on the ground. They said multiple 911 calls were received regarding an aircraft that landed on Indiantown Road, and the first group of PBCFR responders arrived at the scene in under three minutes.
PBCFR provided more information saying that the small, single-engine plane had landed on the westbound lanes of Indiantown Road between Maplewood Road and Pennock Lane.
Luckily, the plane did not hit any cars during the landing process, according to PBCFR.
In a statement posted to the town’s official Facebook page Friday afternoon, officials said crews and first responders remain on scene working to secure the aircraft and clear the area. PBCFR said that while the scene is cleared, there will still be traffic delays in the area.
An expert pilot, Robert Katz, tells CBS12 News that the plane pictured is possibly a Cessna 150G, a simple aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the small-engine plane as a Cessna, with the registration number of N2843S, and stated that there were two people on board.
The FAA said that the plane conducted an emergency landing after experiencing engine issues.
Katz said that the plane is typically used for training.
Based on information from the FlightAware track log, the plane departed from Tailwinds Homeowners' Association and was in the air for less than 17 minutes.
PBCFR said the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating, and the FAA said it is also investigating the incident.
https://cbs12.com/news/local/traffic-alert-indiantown-road-emergency-plane-landing-jupiter-prompts-palm-beach-county-fire-rescue-single-engine-plane-fire-fighters-town-of-jupiter-by-home-depot-near-pennock-lane
Person who died in plane crash at Los Altos Park identified
Vincent Rodriguez
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
One person died in a plane crash that happened at Los Altos Park in Albuquerque on Friday morning.
New Mexico State Police say a small aircraft attempted to make an emergency landing at Los Altos Golf Course. The plane then crashed while attempting to make the landing.
State police say there were two people inside of the plane at the time of the crash. The person who died was identified as Deborah Rhinesmith of Kansas. The name of the other person on the plane, who is in the hospital, has not been released.
Albuquerque Fire Rescue officials say two people were stuck inside of the plane. Those two people were then pulled from the wreckage and taken to the hospital.
AFR officials say the aircraft did not catch fire during the crash.
Officials say there is significant damage to the plane.
https://www.koat.com/article/plane-crash-los-altos-golf-course-albuquerque/70643204
Kansas City International Airport terminal, parking garage back open after evacuation
No credible threat, per Kansas City Aviation Department
By: Addi Weakley
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Travelers were evacuated from the Kansas City International Airport terminal Sunday due to a potential threat.
Sunday morning, around 11:50 a.m., the Kansas City Aviation Department was made aware of a potential device inside the airport terminal as well as in the parking garage.
The FBI, airport police and other law
enforcement officers worked to "quickly evaluate the situation and ensure the safety of everyone," which meant travelers were evacuated from the terminal.
Additionally, inbound flights were held on the taxiway away from gates due to the potential threat, per the aviation department.
Once law enforcement was able to determine "no credible threat to the airport or those inside the terminal," the evacuation was lifted.
Normal operations resumed around two hours after the evacuation was initiated.
However, the parking garage remained closed for several hours, opening around 6 p.m.
The aviation department said a vehicle on the top floor was identified as suspicious during a sweep by K-9 units, so the KCPD Bomb and Arson Unit was called in to investigate.
Once Bomb and Arson investigated the vehicle, it was determined there was no credible threat.
"As always, the KCAD and FBI encourage anyone who becomes aware of anything suspicious or concerning to report that to law enforcement," the aviation department said in a statement.
KSHB 41's Ryan Gamboa and Lauren Schwentker went to the scene.
Schwentker spoke with travelers and drivers who were caught off guard by the situation.
One woman said she had to contact Uber because she could not drop her passenger off at the terminal.
Other travelers told Gamboa they had to wait up to three hours to access their vehicles in the parking garage.
Several flights were diverted due to the evacuation.
Southwest Airlines confirmed four flights bound for Kansas City were diverted. Those flights stopped at Denver, St. Louis and Wichita until operations resumed at KCI.
"Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of its Customers and Employees," a Southwest spokesperson said in a statement.
Traffic around the airport was also impacted due to the incident. Interstate 29 northbound to Interstate 435 eastbound/the KCI exit ramp was closed for a time, per the Missouri Department of Transportation.
Several top U.S. officials commented on the situation on X.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the threat was "reviewed and deemed not to be credible."
"Threats like these are a federal crime," Patel posted on X. "FBI and law enforcement partners will fully investigate and bring to justice anyone responsible."
In another X post, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy thanked law enforcement, including the FBI, for their "timely response."
"The safety of passengers, airport staff, and crew members is always our number one priority," Duffy said.
A similar incident unfolded at KCI on Dec. 31, 2025. Travelers were evacuated due to a "potential threat in the unsecured area" of the airport.
Ultimately, law enforcement determined there was "no credible threat to the airport or those inside the terminal" in the New Year's Eve incident.
https://www.kshb.com/news/crime/kc-aviation-department-aware-of-situation-at-kansas-city-international-airport
NTSB Final Report: Cameron Balloons US A-225
During The Flight The Winds, Which Were Forecasted To Be About 3 Knots At The Time Of Landing, Increased To 14 Kts, Gusting To 19 Kts
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Accident Number: WPR26LA052
Date & Time: November 24, 2025, 08:00 Local Registration: N980VA
Aircraft: Cameron Balloons US A-225 Aircraft Damage: None
Defining Event: Hard landing Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor, 7 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Business
Analysis: The hot air balloon pilot reported that he performed a safety briefing with all eight passengers before they boarded the balloon. During the flight the winds, which were forecasted to be about 3 knots at the time of landing, increased to 14 kts, gusting to 19 kts. The pilot determined that the planned landing area did not provide sufficient room for a safe landing due to the increase in wind speed and elected to divert to a more open area. The balloon crossed over a valley and encountered a downdraft, which the pilot said he unsuccessfully attempted to overcome using the gas burners. He activated the rapid-deflation system to help prevent dragging; the balloon touched down hard and was dragged by the wind as it deflated. The balloon landed hard at about 23 kts, which resulted in a serious injury to one of the passengers.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions with the balloon that would have precluded normal operations.
Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The balloon landing in increased wind, and the pilot’s inability to maintain the proper descent rate, which resulted in a hard landing.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
NTSB Final Report: Beech 95-B55 (T42A)
Witnesses Described That The Airplane “Corkscrewed” Or “Spiraled” As It Descended Nose-Down Toward The Ground
Location: Leyden, Massachusetts Accident Number: ERA24FA088
Date & Time: January 14, 2024, 11:25 UTC Registration: N7345R
Aircraft: Beech 95-B55 (T42A) Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight Injuries: 3 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional
Analysis: The flight instructor, commercial-certificated/multi-engine-rated pilot receiving instruction, and a passenger departed on a local flight to practice maneuvers so the pilot could obtain currency in a multi-engine airplane. The pilot receiving instruction had not flown a twin-engine airplane in almost 11 years. This was his first time flying this make/model airplane, and with this flight instructor.
Shortly after departure, the airplane climbed to about 3,000 to 3,300 ft mean sea level (msl) and made four alternating left and right 360° turns. After the fourth 360° turn, the airplane began to climb, reaching an altitude of about 4,000 ft msl. The airplane then entered a rapid descent and impacted terrain. Witnesses described that the airplane “corkscrewed” or “spiraled” as it descended nose-down toward the ground. Other witnesses said the airplane sounded as if it were having engine trouble.
The airplane came to rest upright with evidence of little forward movement, consistent with the airplane being in a flat attitude at the time of impact. All major components of the airplane were accounted for at the site, and there was no postimpact fire. Photos taken by first responders revealed some airframe icing on the airplane’s left wing, left engine cowling, and nose baggage area. Weather at the time included wind gusts up to 23 kts, with an active AIRMET (Airman Meteorological Information) for icing and a SIGMET (Significant Meteorological Information) for severe turbulence between 3,000 and 16,000 ft msl.
A postaccident examination of the airplane and engines revealed no preimpact mechanical deficiency that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the witness’ description of the airplane’s descent and the condition of the wreckage, the airplane entered a spin from which it was not recovered. Since an airplane must first be in a stalled condition before it can spin, either an inadvertent or deliberate stall must have immediately preceded the spin.
Further, because a spin entry requires the presence or introduction of a yawing moment at the stall, the NTSB conducted an airplane performance study that considered possible conditions and scenarios that could affect the airplane’s stall performance and produce a yawing moment. These considerations included airframe ice contamination, operation of the engines at different thrust levels (such as during a Vmc demonstration, which is commonly performed during multi-engine airplane instructional flights to demonstrate the airplane’s minimum control airspeed with one engine deliberately shut down or set to minimum thrust), and improper stall recovery technique.
The study determined that the airplane entered two stalls in the minute before the accident. The airplane was successfully recovered from the first stall but not the second, during which the spin developed and continued to ground impact. The study determined that, during each stall, the airplane achieved the nominal flaps-up stall speed outlined in the airplane flight manual (AFM). As such, there was no evidence that airframe icing contamination adversely affected the airplane’s stall speed or other aerodynamic characteristics, such as asymmetric stall behavior (one wing stalling before the other).
In addition, the study determined that the computed engine power required during the time surrounding the first stall exceeded the power available from one engine, indicating that both engines must have been operating at the time of the first stall. This was inconsistent with a scenario involving a Vmc demonstration. The study determined that, at the time of the second stall, the required engine power was reduced compared to the first stall. Given that this second stall occurred less than 30 seconds after the first, the performance study concluded that it was unlikely that the second stall was associated with an attempted Vmc demonstration.
Having excluded an asymmetrical aerodynamic condition and asymmetrical engine thrust as potential sources of the yawing moment that induced the airplane’s spin, the study concluded that the spin may have resulted from an improper stall recovery technique, possibly involving an excessive or inadvertent rudder input. FAA guidance for pilots related to spin avoidance in multi-engine airplanes emphasizes initiating stall recovery (reducing the airplane’s angle of attack) as soon as the airplane reaches the stall warning, such as an aural alert or buffet.
The guidance references stall practice among the scenarios in which “spin awareness must be at its greatest.” Toxicological testing of the flight instructor identified that he had used multiple central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including medications for anxiety and depression. Although postmortem drug levels do not reliably predict specific impairing effects in this case, the presence of multiple CNS depressants increased the risk of adverse CNS effects, such as increased sedation, decreased alertness, slowed reflexes, and impaired concentration; these effects can potentially occur despite chronic use. The status of the flight instructor’s underlying condition and its response to treatment could not be determined.
As pilot-in-command, the flight instructor had ultimate responsibility for the safety of the flight. It is possible that the flight instructor’s judgment may have been adversely affected by his substance use or underlying condition, or both. Also, despite the predictable need to be immediately ready to react to prevent a spin, the experienced flight instructor failed to prevent the spin. The adverse effects of his substance use, the associated underlying condition, or both likely diminished his capacity to act in a timely and appropriate manner, although a more specific determination of the individual contributions of specific medical factors is not possible based on the available evidence.
Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control during a stall, which resulted in an inadvertent spin from which the airplane was not recovered. Contributing to the accident were the overall effect of the flight instructor’s use of multiple central nervous system depressants, the associated underlying conditions they treated, or both.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
NTSB Final Report: Thomas Graham Teenie Two
Pilot Reported That He Filled His Fuel Tanks To Full, For The First Time Since Purchasing The Airplane
Location: Chehalis, Washington Accident Number: WPR25LA308
Date & Time: September 11, 2025, 12:15 Local Registration: N311TS
Aircraft: Thomas Graham Teenie Two Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Miscellaneous/other Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis: The pilot reported that he filled his fuel tanks to full, for the first time since purchasing the airplane, to conduct a flight test to calculate fuel burn rate. A weight and balance calculation provided by the pilot showed that the airplane was over the maximum gross weight by about 25 lbs. During takeoff initial climb, he observed that the airplane was not climbing as he expected and realized he would not be able to clear the trees or powerlines ahead of his position. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a grass covered field, however, during the approach, he observed that the landing distance available was too short and landed with a side slip to arrest the airplane’s forward movement. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard, which resulted in substantial damage to wings and fuselage.
The pilot that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot's improper decision to take off with the airplane over its maximum allowable gross weight, which degraded its climb performance and led to a subsequent off airport landing.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
Today in History
59 Years ago today: On 9 March 1967 TWA Flight 553, a Douglas DC-9-10 crashed near Urbana, Ohio, USA, following a mid-air collision with a Beech 55, killing all 26 occupants.
| Date: | Thursday 9 March 1967 |
| Time: | 11:53 |
| Type: | Douglas DC-9-15 |
| Owner/operator: | Trans World Airlines - TWA |
| Registration: | N1063T |
| MSN: | 45777/80 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1967 |
| Engine model: | P&W JT8D-7 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 25 / Occupants: 25 |
| Other fatalities: | 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed, written off |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Urbana, OH - United States of America |
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Pittsburgh International Airport, PA (PIT/KPIT) |
| Destination airport: | Dayton-James Cox Dayton International Airport, OH (DAY/KDAY) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Narrative:
TWA Flight 553, a Douglas DC-9-10 crashed near Urbana, Ohio, USA, following a mid-air collision with a Beech 55, killing all 26 occupants.
TWA 553 operated on a flight from New York to Chicago via Harrisburgh, Pittsburgh, and Dayton. The aircraft operated on an IFR flight plan in visual flight conditions and had been cleared to descend from FL200 to 3000 feet. While descending through 4525 feet the DC-9 collided with a Beechcraft 55 (N6127V operated by the Tann Comp.) which was on a flight to Springfield. The descending DC-9, overtaking and converging from the left, struck the level Beechcraft from the left rear quarter. The collision angle between longitudinal axes of the two aircraft was approx. 47deg in the horizontal plane and 10deg down in the vertical plane. The collision destroyed the Beechcraft by causing it to disintegrate; portions of the Beech penetrated the forward fuselage section of the DC-9 and destroyed the integrity of the flight control system. The DC-9 entered a descending left turn, crashed and burned. The Beechcraft was not under control of, or in radio contact with any FAA traffic facility. Weather at the time of the collision was thin broken clouds with 6-7 miles visibility in haze.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The failure of the DC-9 crew to see and avoid the Beechcraft. Contributing to this cause were physiological and environmental conditions and the excessive speed of the DC-9 which reduced visual detection capabilities under an air traffic control system which was not designed or equipped to separate a mixture of controlled and uncontrolled traffic."
