airplane crash provo airport

On July 8, 2023, a Cessna C550 business jet crashed shortly after takeoff from French Valley Airport in southern California, killing all six people on board. Foggy conditions may have obscured the pilot’s visibility, causing the plane to crash several hundred yards short of the runway. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.

In June 2022, a small plane crashed shortly after taking off from Provo Airport in Utah, killing the two people on board. The crash occurred during the early morning hours, and officials said fog may have contributed to the incident. The plane hit power lines before crashing into a field just north of the airport.

The two victims were identified as David and Karen Young from Texas. David Young was a top distributor for Nu Skin, a Utah-based health and wellness company. Provo Airport was closed for two days following the crash to remove debris from the runway.

The June 2022 crash at Provo Airport is similar to the recent crash at French Valley Airport in California, though on a much smaller scale. Both incidents involved small planes that crashed shortly after taking off in foggy conditions. The planes crashed well short of the runways, indicating the pilots may have been spatially disoriented due to limited visibility.

Aviation authorities are investigating the causes of both crashes, but the possibility that low visibility played a role highlights the dangers that fog and other adverse weather conditions pose for small aircraft, especially during takeoff and landing. Pilots are trained to operate under visual flight rules, so reduced visibility can create challenges.

The recency of these two crashes may lead to increased scrutiny of operating procedures at smaller regional airports and recommendations for enhancing safety measures during periods of low visibility.