A small plane crashed near a North Carolina airport after the pilot raised a wheel post-landing to avoid hitting a turtle on the runway, as per a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) preliminary report. The crash involving a Universal Stinson 108 resulted in the fatalities of the pilot and a passenger, while another passenger sustained serious injuries. The incident unfolded when a communications operator alerted the pilot about the turtle on the runway, prompting the pilot to lift the right wheel after landing. Subsequently, witnesses observed the plane’s wings rocking back and forth before it crashed and caught fire in a wooded area near the runway.

The crash site revealed the plane wedged among trees, with the left wing under the fuselage and the right wing bent towards the tail. The NTSB’s preliminary report provides factual information without speculating on the probable causes, with final reports expected to follow later. This tragic event highlights the importance of aviation safety protocols and the unexpected hazards that pilots may encounter during flight operations. The investigation into this crash near Sugar Valley airport in Mocksville serves as a reminder of the vigilance and caution required in aviation to prevent such incidents and ensure passenger safety.