Just heard on the news that a plane crashed at the McCall airport this evening just before 8 pm. Has anyone heard anything? They didn't have any details yet.

That is so sad. My heart goes out to the family and to the injured child. Kudos to the other two that, despite their own injuries, were able to save the child.

It will be interesting to hear what exactly happened. John, let us know what you hear.

I heard about it here first. Sad. Bill was a super guy, my heart goes out to his family; they are in our prayers.

John

That is real sad, I wonder how it happened. I feel for all the families involved. Bob

Anyone know what happened here? I've been out of town and missed the story.

I don't know for sure, but it looked like one 172 landed on top of another 172. A 52 year old grandfather and his three grandkids in one plane and two men in the other. Grandfather and two kids Killed. One 2 year old burned badly was rescued by men in other plane. Cause not determined. Seems both where landing.
Grandfather had flown to Caldwell to pick up grandkids. CTAF at caldwell is 122.7.The CTAF at McCall is 122.8. Did he forget to change back? Who knows. It does seem there was a lack of communication. Bob

SEE AND AVOID! Coms are secondary.

Guys,, I lost my high spped internet access while I was in calif sun and mon. I just read this and the only pics I could see where in the TV station clip. I cannot get the video to run.. The only plane I know of with squared off corners is a zenith 701 /801 series. I swear the one pic that shows the two melted together has what looks like a zenith fuselage on top , altho it is mostly burned away. I looks white in color. Can someone who has the ability to view the whole clip please eagle eye the wreckage and post back here... Thanks in advance....

This is really sad for the families..

Ben
N801BH

The news is saying that the aircraft were two Cessna 172s. One landed on top of the other. Both landing at the same time hit about 30 ft, off of the ground over the runway. Grandfather and two grand kids dead one grandchild in the burn center in SLC. One of the men in the other plane helped the burned boy get out of the burning plane. He couldn't get to the others as the plane exploded. Bob

Investigation into Idaho plane crash that killed 3 continues

01:02 PM PDT on Monday, May 5, 2008

By KTVB Staff and Associated Press

POST FALLS, Idaho - Federal aviation authorities are continuing their investigation into the crash of two small airplanes that left three people dead.

National Transportation Safety Board investigator Dennis Hogenson says investigators will try to determine how the planes collided on the runway of McCall's Municipal Airport late Friday. The wreckage was cleared and the airport reopened late Saturday.



Mike di Donato/KTVB

Wreckage is removed after two planes collided at Idaho's McCall Airport.

Killed were McCall public works director Bill Keating and two of his grandsons, ages 1 and 6. A third was taken to a Salt Lake hospital for burn treatment.

Federal Aviation Administration records show Keating earned his private pilot certification last month. The pilot of the other plane, Justin Mooney, has been a commercial pilot since 2007. He also was a flight instructor with single engine and multi-engine planes.

Surviving pilot talks about saving child

Video

Emotional survivor describes accident

On Sunday, Mooney talked about the crash and how he helped rescue a toddler from the fiery wreckage.

Justin Mooney was the pilot of one of two planes that collided on the ground at the McCall airport Friday night. An otherwise ordinary landing quickly took a dramatic and deadly turn.

It was cold and nearing dusk as he landed his plane at the small airport. At the same time, another pilot was doing the same thing.



Justin Mooney spoke about a deadly two-plane crash that claimed the lives of three people.

"We were about 30 feet off the ground and then all of a sudden there was just this huge noise," Mooney said.

The two planes smashed into one another and exploded.

"Flames were everywhere, I said 'we gotta get out of the plane!'" Mooney said.

Mooney and his passenger escaped the burning wreckage. By the looks of the crash, Mooney said there appeared to be no survivors in the other plane, but then a glimmer of hope in the fiery wreckage.

"We got out and ran away from the plane and I heard some screaming - and I ran around and I saw there was another plane, there was smoke and flames everywhere and I saw a young boy trying to get out," he said.



Mike di Donato/KTVB

Emergency crews on the scene of the crash.

Mooney sprang into action -- heading toward the wreckage, and pulled the toddler to safety.

"I just saw this young boy screaming and I knew I had to help him," he said. "I was able to get to him and pull him out, he was on fire."

The little boy was the only survivor from the second plane. His two older siblings and grandfather died in the crash. The boy suffered third degree burns, and is currently at the Intermountain Burn Center in Salt Lake City receiving treatment.

"I just hope he pulls through and is able to live a normal life," Mooney said.

After the accident, Mooney says his life will never be the same again. He does not want to be seen as a hero for pulling the child from the wreckage, but he does have a request.

"Pray for the other family and hope they can make it though this, that's about it," he said.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

Aviation officials are trying to figure out exactly what happened and who - if anyone - was at fault in the incident.

The McCall airport was open again Sunday after being closed for much of Friday night and early Saturday.

I hate newspeople. They try so hard to exploit the facts.

Keating was the former public works director of McCall. The article said he got his private last month? Since I've lived here, I've know him to fly and own his airplane. Unless he was lying to us all, and just decided to get ticket in March, he's been around the block some.

John