A small plane crashed at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) on Wednesday, injuring a UNC Health physician and a pilot who were on board. The incident occurred around 10:15 a.m. on a secondary runway near gate 15.
After the crash, the airport implemented a ground stop, causing delays and disruptions to flight schedules. As of 11:56 a.m., at least 65 delays were reported at RDU, with Delta Airlines and American Airlines experiencing the most significant impacts. Many passengers faced delays of over an hour.
Sky 5 captured aerial footage of the crash site, showing debris scattered across the ground and major front-end damage to the plane. Aviation expert Jim Crouse analyzed the wreckage and suggested that the plane may have experienced a low-energy impact, possibly during the landing approach or shortly after touchdown. The damage indicated a strong vertical component, with the engine dislodged and vertical damage to the wings and tail section.
The plane involved in the crash is a single-engine Socata TBM-700 owned by Medical Air Inc. FlightAware data indicated that the plane departed from Wilmington around 9:30 a.m. The aircraft is utilized by UNC Health for transporting medical residents, university faculty, and other professionals across the state. It has a seating capacity of approximately six people.
Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, and both occupants of the plane were transported to the hospital for treatment. The extent of their injuries is currently unknown. UNC Health issued a statement confirming the crash and stating that they are working to gather more information about the incident.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. The runway has since reopened, and flight operations have resumed at RDU.
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