Plane Crashes Onto Kansas Hangar Roof: Two Hospitalized After Engine Failure at New Century Airport

Plane Crashes Onto Kansas Hangar Roof: Two Hospitalized After Engine Failure at New Century Airport

NEW CENTURY, Kan. (WDAF) — June 17, 2025 — A dramatic scene unfolded Monday afternoon at New Century Airport in Johnson County, Kansas, when a light twin-engine aircraft crash-landed on the roof of a hangar, sending shockwaves through the aviation community and prompting a large-scale emergency response. Remarkably, despite the frightening circumstances, both individuals onboard the aircraft survived and sustained only minor injuries.

The crash was reported shortly before 1:30 p.m., and within minutes, multiple emergency services had arrived on scene, including the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, Fire District #1, and MED-ACT paramedics.

A Harrowing Emergency Landing

According to authorities, the light twin-engine plane was experiencing mechanical trouble shortly before the crash. Investigators with the Kansas Highway Patrol later confirmed that a mechanical malfunction caused the left engine to fail, leading the 73-year-old male pilot to lose control of the aircraft. Unable to maintain balance and power, the aircraft went down—ultimately slamming into the roof of a recently built hangar at the airport.

Witnesses described hearing a loud, startling sound at the time of impact. “There was a loud boom,” said Bryan Johnson, executive director of the Johnson County Airport Commission. “But again, I’m so relieved that no one was seriously injured.”

Miraculous Escape

Miraculously, the pilot and his passenger—whose identities have not yet been publicly released—were able to exit the damaged aircraft under their own power. They climbed down the hangar’s fire ladder to awaiting emergency personnel below. Both were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and are expected to recover.

Johnson commended the swift response of emergency crews and the courage of the individuals involved. “The good news is the two people that occupied the aircraft sustained minor injuries and were able to exit the aircraft of their own power… We’re very thankful,” he stated.

Structural Damage and Safety Measures

The aircraft crashed atop a hangar owned by Butler Aviation, the newer of two hangars on the property, completed just three years ago. In the immediate aftermath of the crash, everyone inside the hangar was safely evacuated, and authorities confirmed that no one on the ground was injured.

“It’s unfortunate, and we’re all relieved that no one was seriously injured or worse,” said Johnson. “The structural damage to the building will be assessed in the coming days, but the priority today was life safety—and in that regard, we are extremely fortunate.”

Photos from the scene showed the aircraft precariously perched on the hangar rooftop, with first responders cordoning off the area and assessing both the building’s stability and the condition of the plane.

Ongoing Investigation

An investigation into the cause of the crash is being conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), with support from local and state agencies. Investigators are focusing on the mechanical malfunction of the left engine, but will also examine the plane’s maintenance history, flight logs, and pilot records.

Officials have not said whether the aircraft was based at New Century Airport or was in transit to another destination. Flight data and air traffic control communications are expected to shed further light on the events that led up to the crash.

A Cautionary Reminder

Monday’s incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in aviation and the critical importance of routine maintenance, emergency preparedness, and rapid response protocols. Aviation experts note that while engine failures in twin-engine aircraft can often be compensated for mid-flight, pilot age, weather conditions, and altitude at the time of failure can dramatically affect the outcome.

In this case, tragedy was narrowly averted. As repairs begin and investigators search for answers, the aviation community is breathing a collective sigh of relief that the crash did not end in catastrophe.

New Century Airport remains open for operations, though the crash site and surrounding hangar remain secured for investigation and safety evaluation. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.

🛩️ Our thoughts are with the pilot and passenger for a full recovery, and with the emergency teams whose quick actions helped avert a potential disaster.