We close out the week with the following stories...
Of note, tragic news from Durham, NC with news of the Line of
Duty Death of Durham Firefighter Andrew Brokes, who died while searching for victims inside a building at 410 Marly Drive.
Firefighter Brokes had been a member of the Durham FD since May 5, 2025.
Our condolences to the family of FF Brokes, and to our Brothers and Sisters on the Durham Fire Department.
May He Rest in Peace...
Have a safe weekend!
Tom
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One firefighter killed in Durham blaze
DURHAM, N.C. (WPTF) The name of the Durham firefighter who died during a blaze and building collapse Thursday (Oct. 8) has now been released.
Andrew Brokes died in the line of duty while searching for
victims inside the building at 410 Marly Drive. He joined the Durham Fire Department on May 5, 2025,
Two other firefighters who were injured have been treated and released from Duke Regional Medical Center.
Crews were called to 410 Marley Drive near South Miami Boulevard/Highway 70 for a structure fire around 3:30 a.m. The two-story building became fully engulfed, and the roof and second story of the structure collapsed on the first, trapping firefighters.
The structure appears to be in the middle of a junkyard, but several people were reported to be living in the first floor of the building. No other injures were reported.
“Our city manager and staff have been on scene and have been communicating with myself and council since the incident happened earlier this morning,” said Mayor Leonardo Williams.
“This is a heartbreaking loss for our department, the family, and the entire community,” said Durham Fire Chief Robert J. Zoldos II in a social media post. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and his colleagues, and we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during this unimaginably difficult time. The department is standing with and supporting his family in every possible way.This loss is felt across our entire department. Firefighters step into unpredictable situations every day in service to others, and Firefighter Brokes embodied that calling with honor.”
The State Bureau of Investigation has been called in, and they say this is standard protocol when there is a fatality.
The body of the firefighter was transported to the State Medical Examiner’s office in Raleigh.
Marine Osprey Crashes in Bladen Lakes State Forest
Columbus County News
Fire crews, the Forest Service and Marine Corps personnel are on the scene of a crashed Osprey aircraft in Bladen Lakes State Forest.
The Osprey was part of a training mission in the parking lot when it caught fire and had a “hard landing,” according to emergency officials. The aircraft was carrying around 6,000 pounds of highly volatile fuel when it went down, apparently due to a fire onboard, fire officials said.
Emergency vehicles and the Highway Patrol are controlling traffic along N.C. 242 in the vicinity of Sweet Home Church Road and Jones Lake State Park. The State Forest is adjacent to Jones Lake.
The Osprey is a specialized Vertical/Short Takeoff/Landing (VSTOL) plane that can rotate its wings to land and launch like a helicopter, according to the U.S. Marine Corps. Ospreys are a common sight in the area due to Cherry Point Air Station at New River.
One Marine was transported to a burn center after the crash. The other three crewmembers sustained non-life threatening injuries.
The Osprey was part of a flight of aircraft training in the area of the former N.C. Forest Service airstrip in the State Forest. The airstrip has been used by the Marines and other services for decades, due to its similarity to undeveloped runways in potential warzones.
The $71 million VSTOl carried 24 combat troops or a variety of equipment, and typically has a crew of four, according to the USMC.
https://columbuscountynews.com/2026/10/marine-osprey-crashes-in-bladen-lakes-state-forest/
8 people hospitalized after severe turbulence diverts Avianca plane to MIA
Cellphone video from inside the plane appears to show people with ice packs on their heads as they're instructed to keep seat belts on.
By Briana Nespral and Julia Bagg
Several people were taken to the hospital due to severe turbulence on a flight from Colombia that had to be diverted to Miami International Airport (MIA), according to officials and passengers.
Avianca flight 042 had departed Medellín, Colombia, and was on its way to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York before it had to be diverted, according to Miami airport officials. It landed at MIA at 3:30 a.m. Friday.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said they responded to "multiple patients injured by turbulence," and eight people were taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Cellphone video from inside the plane appears to show people with ice packs on their heads as they're instructed to keep seat belts on. And NBC6 cameras captured some passengers arriving at the hospital with luggage in tow. Others on stretchers appeared to include a flight attendant still in her uniform and a woman wearing a neck brace.
"I don't want to go out. I only want to go back home," one woman aboard the plane told NBC6. "What I can tell you is you value your life so much when something like that happens."
In a statement in Spanish, airline Avianca said the flight experienced "unexpected turbulence," leaving three cabin crew members and six passengers injured.
Read Avianca's translated statement in its entirety below:
"Regarding Flight AV042 Bogotá, October 9, 2026
Avianca reports that Flight AV042, operating the route from Medellín (MDE) to New York (JFK), encountered unexpected turbulence during the journey. As a precautionary measure and in accordance with the airline's safety protocols, the flight was diverted to Miami International Airport (MIA), where the aircraft landed safely.
According to the report, three cabin crew members and six passengers experienced turbulence-related injuries. Upon arrival, Avianca's team and the airport's medical services activated the appropriate protocols to provide them with immediate assistance.
For the remaining passengers, Avianca's airport team has implemented the necessary measures to ensure the continuation of their travel itinerary to New York, providing assistance and support throughout the process.
Avianca remains in contact with the affected passengers and crew members while continuing to address the situation.
The safety of our customers and employees remains, and will continue to be, the fundamental pillar of our operation."
https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/severe-turbulence-diverts-avianca-plane-miami-airport-medellin-new-york/3870729/
NTSB Final Report: HPH LTD Glasflugel 304CZ
The Glider’s Left Wing Struck An Undulation In The Terrain, Which Resulted In The Right Wing Lifting And The Nose Of The Glider Impacting The Ground
Location: Xenia, Ohio Accident Number: ERA26LA311
Date & Time: August 21, 2026, 16:07 Local Registration: N304BS
Aircraft: HPH LTD Glasflugel 304CZ Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of lift Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis: The pilot of the glider was on a local flight and reported that the thermal lift began to dissipate. Upon reaching about 1,000 ft above ground level, he found a field for an off-airport landing.
During the subsequent landing, the glider’s left wing struck an undulation in the terrain, which resulted in the right wing lifting and the nose of the glider impacting the ground. The glider’s empennage separated from the fuselage and was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider 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 glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
Today in History
62 Years ago today: On 9 October 1964 A Tarom Ilyushin Il-14 broke in flight in poor weather while en route and crashed near Sibiu, Romania, killing all 31 occupants.
| Date: | Friday 9 October 1964 |
| Time: | 20:26 |
| Type: | Ilyushin Il-14P |
| Owner/operator: | Tarom |
| Registration: | YR-ILB |
| MSN: | 146000902 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1960 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 31 / Occupants: 31 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed, written off |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | 2 km S of Cugir - Romania |
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Timisoara Airport (TSR/LRTR) |
| Destination airport: | Bucharest-Baneasa Airport (BBU/LRBS) |
Narrative:
A Tarom Ilyushin Il-14 broke in flight in poor weather while en route and crashed near Sibiu, Romania, killing all 31 occupants.
The airplane operated on a domestic flight from Timisoara (TSR) to Bucharest-Baneasa (BBU). A powerful storm was affecting most of the airspace of Romania that day. The plane could not land in Bucharest and was diverted to Craiova (CRA). It was re-directed to the north of the country, and contact was lost after the plane crossed a mountain range.
The scatter of the debris indicated that the plane disintegrated before hitting the ground.
The inquiry committee concluded that the airplane had encountered a strong downdraught. The pilot's attempt to maintain attitude caused the fuselage to overstress. The airplane disintegrated.
