CONCORD, N.C. — A small aircraft burst into flames after crashing just beyond the runway at **Concord-Padgett Regional Airport** on Tuesday afternoon, but miraculously, the pilot survived and managed to walk away from the burning wreckage.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the **9000 block of Aviation Boulevard Northwest** shortly after reports came in of a downed plane and heavy smoke rising near the airport. When firefighters arrived, they found the aircraft engulfed in flames, with debris scattered across a grassy area just past the runway. Despite the intense heat and danger, the pilot had
already escaped on his own and was found a short distance from the wreckage.Authorities have not yet released the pilot’s name or the extent of any injuries. It remains unclear whether anyone else was onboard at the time of the crash. The **Concord Fire Department** and **Cabarrus County EMS** quickly secured the area, extinguishing the fire before it spread to nearby structures.
Officials from the **Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)** and the **National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)** have launched a joint investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Early reports suggest the incident occurred during either takeoff or landing, but investigators are reviewing flight data and witness statements to confirm.Airport operations were temporarily suspended as crews cleared debris and ensured there were no fuel leaks or secondary hazards.
Residents and drivers in the area were advised to steer clear of Aviation Boulevard due to emergency activity.Local officials expressed relief that the crash did not result in fatalities. “It’s nothing short of a miracle,” one responder said. “To walk away from a plane on fire is rare and extraordinary.” For now, investigators are focused on understanding how such a terrifying incident ended with a life spared.
