Posted on 06/21/2025 1:12:55 PM PDT by BenLurkin
MOCKSVILLE, N.C. — The pilot of a small plane that crashed near a North Carolina airport this month had raised a wheel after landing to avoid hitting a turtle on the runway, according to a National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report.
The pilot of the Universal Stinson 108 and a passenger were killed in the June 3 crash near Sugar Valley Airport in Mocksville, officials said. A second passenger was seriously injured in the crash.
A communications operator looking out the airport office window advised the pilot that there was a turtle on the runway, according to the report released this week. The operator reported that the pilot landed about 1,400 feet down the 2,424-foot runway, then lifted the right main wheel to avoid the turtle. The operator heard the pilot advance the throttle after raising the wheel, but the airplane left her view after that.
(Excerpt) Read more at npr.org ...
He Failed to avoid Death or Injury to passengers in his charge.
So what was the fate of the turtle?
No mention of the condition of the turtle. I hope it’s ok.
would that be like having a big rock on the runway?
To be fair, the turtle wasn’t going to dodge.
Fire the person who allowed the guy to get a pilots license.
Gain the whole turtle and lose your own soul.
Paraphrase
Looks like the pilot stalled in an attempted go around to avoid the turtle. Should have just hit the turtle..... Oh well.
This story absolutely epitomizes the animal insanity that is prevalent everywhere today.
They were here before us why can’t we just be like the animals the Earth would be so much better without us. Spit.
That's my question. Could he tell the difference, as he was landing a plane?
(Did he try to save an animal or did he try to prevent flipping his plane over?)
This is why you never, ever try to avoid hitting a small animal in your way, be it in a car or airplane.
Someone call Mitch McConnell, see if he’s alright.
It slowly walked off, ridden with guilt. It carries on, as best it can, but it’s a shell of its former self.
The runway is right next to a lake, so it probably was a turtle.
What’s up with pet turtles anyway? Can’t really pet them or brush their fur. Get close they pull in their head and legs, take him for walk up & down the driveway takes all evening.
And he’s a cold-blooded killer.
Of course, that rule wouldn't apply to turtles, tortoises, terrapins or McConnells.
Dont a avoid small animals in a car or plane...except alligators... in another story a canoe ran over an alligator and the wife was killed.. always avoid alligators.
I used to fly small planes and if there’s anything on the runway it requires a go around. Having a seat nope tire hit a large object during landing could be catastrophic
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