On July 16, 1967, a twin-engine charter aircraft skidded to a stop at Grand Forks International Airport after its landing gear collapsed during landing. All nine individuals aboard, including eight men and a boy, emerged unhurt from the incident, which occurred around 15:30 local time.
The aircraft, owned by Crystal Shamrock Inc. based in Minneapolis, was returning from a fishing trip in Canada. As the plane approached the runway, the landing gear failed, causing it to skid along the tarmac before coming to a halt approximately six blocks west of the airport administration building.
Airport manager Norman Midboe confirmed that the pilot, Lee Gilligan, a seasoned commercial aviator, was at the controls during the flight. Eyewitnesses reported seeing smoke fill the cockpit after the landing, prompting airport personnel to rush to the scene with fire extinguishers. Fortunately, the smoke had cleared by the time they arrived, and no fire ensued.
Passengers exited the aircraft quickly, gathering their belongings as they moved away from the plane. The identities of the eight passengers have not been disclosed. Following the incident, the group was transferred onto two special charter flights to continue their journey.
The damaged aircraft sustained significant harm, including two bent propellers and scrapes along its underside. A large crane from the Grand Forks Air Force Base was utilized to lift the plane off the runway. Maj. Donald L. Peck, commander of the Transport Squadron, provided assistance during the recovery efforts.
An investigation into the cause of the landing gear failure is currently underway, as officials work to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident. The cooperation between the airport staff and military personnel has been praised by Midboe, highlighting the effective response to the situation.
