A small private plane crashed into a wooded area in North Carolina on June 3, 2025, killing the pilot and injuring a passenger after attempting to avoid a turtle on the runway.

The incident, which took place at Sugar Valley Airport just before noon, highlights the rare and unpredictable dangers posed by wildlife on runways. Despite warnings from a communications operator about the turtle, the pilot's attempt to avert a collision led to a crash that ended in a heavily wooded area, underscoring the risks small aircraft face in rural airfields. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, marking it as an unusual case in the context of animal-related aviation incidents.

The pilot of the Universal Stinson 108 landed about halfway down the 2,424-foot runway before attempting to take off again in an effort to avoid the turtle. Witnesses reported that as the pilot raised the right wheel to clear the obstacle, they heard a loud crash, indicating that the maneuver did not succeed as intended.

Following the impact, the plane crashed into a heavily wooded area approximately 255 feet past the end of the runway and caught fire. Emergency services responded quickly to the scene, but the pilot was killed in the crash. A passenger on board sustained serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The wreckage of the plane was found wedged between several trees in the wooded area, remaining largely intact aside from some fabric discovered in a nearby stream. The specific reasons behind the crash are still under investigation, and the identities of the pilot and the injured passenger have not yet been released to the public.

On June 18, 2025, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a preliminary report outlining the details of the crash that occurred on June 3, 2025. The report indicates that it will continue to gather information as part of its standard procedure following such aviation accidents. Animal-related crashes, although uncommon, can pose significant risks, with bird strikes being the most frequently noted occurrences.

This incident comes on the heels of another unusual aviation issue where a rabbit was sucked into a plane's engine, necessitating an emergency landing. Such events serve as a reminder of the various and unpredictable challenges pilots may face while navigating rural airfields and the potential implications of wildlife interactions on flight safety.

The FAA and aviation safety organizations emphasize the importance of maintaining awareness of animals on runways, particularly in areas where wildlife is prevalent. Pilots are often trained to be vigilant and prepared for unexpected obstructions during takeoff and landing, though such training does not eliminate all risks.