CONCORD, N.C. — A serious aircraft accident at Concord-Padgett Regional Airport late Thursday afternoon sent emergency crews rushing to the scene after a small aircraft crashed and caught fire just off the runway.
Authorities confirm that the pilot, who was the sole occupant, miraculously survived the crash and was transported to a local hospital with injuries that have not yet been publicly disclosed.
The aircraft, described as a single-engine plane, went down under unknown circumstances shortly after attempting to land at the airport. Eyewitnesses reported seeing smoke and flames shortly after impact. Airport fire and rescue units were on scene within minutes to extinguish the blaze and assist the pilot.
Officials from both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are now actively investigating the crash. The aircraft has been secured, and a preliminary report is expected in the coming days.
Operations at Concord-Padgett were temporarily halted during the emergency response but have since resumed under limited conditions.
No other injuries were reported, and officials say the pilot’s survival is nothing short of remarkable, given the severity of the fire and the damage sustained by the aircraft.
As the investigation continues, the community remains grateful for the swift action of first responders and airport personnel who helped prevent further tragedy.