Events  |  Equipment

1939, North Carolina General Assembly approves construction of Raleigh-Durham airport ^vt

1941, just after workers break ground, Japan bombs Pearl Harbor.  Nine days later, work begins around the clock on Raleigh-Durham Army Air Base (December 1941) ^vt

1943, Raleigh-Durham Airport opens. First commercial flight is Eastern Airlines DC-3, southbound from New York to Miami. (May 1, 1943) ^aws

1951, Air Force Sabre fighter crash lands.  Aircraft bursts into flames after striking concrete runway at 120 miles an hour.  Second Lieutenant Coy Austin springs from cockpit of burning craft after plowing almost 4,500 feet along runway.  He is uninjured, having made the emergency landing due to engine failure at 35,000 feet 20 miles north of Raleigh. The plane lands wheels-up and friction ignites two wing-tip fuel tanks. Airport firefighters save the aircraft from a total loss (April 1, 1951) ^no02apr51

1953, Army C-47 transport crashes in Crabtree Park.  Just before midnight on January 2, 1953, an Army C-47 transport plane crashed in Crabtree Park while attempting an emergency landing at Raleigh-Durham Airport. The weather was raining with dense fog. Three of the four crew members were killed. The fourth member survived, T-Sgt. Edward Matus, who walked to the airport, arriving at the Eastern Airlines office at 1:00 a.m. He followed the "sounds of airplanes taking off." He was rushed to Duke Hospital. The crash was the first fatal airplane accident "since the airport came under civilian operation in 1946." The plane was flying a "routine training flight" from Stewart Air Force Base, in Newburg, NY, to Donaldson Air Force Base, in Greenville, S.C, with a stop at Pope Air Force Base in Fayetteville. They attempted a landing a Pope, but "visibility there was zero." They diverted to Raleigh-Durham, where visibility "was about a one-quarter of a mile." Their last radio contact with Pope was at 10:41 p.m., when the crew reported "icing at 9,000 feet."

Matus remembered being struck and falling to the floor in the plane, then waking up in the wreckage. He followed the sounds of airplanes to the airport. "Bleeding profusely despite a crude tourniquet," the survivor stumbled into the nearly empty office. He was "pale with shock and dazed." He couldn't tell from which direction he had come. He was treated at the hospital for "shock and multiple cuts." Wikipedia Photo The 100-person search party included "police, Civil Air Patrol officials, and Air Force investigators." After hours of searching, Highway Patrol officers were sent to the hospital, to retrieve one of the survivor's shoes. The lawmen also procured bloodhounds from the "Cary prison farm." They attempted, though unsuccessfully, to retrace the survivor's steps. None of the residents of the area reported hearing a plane crash. Six hours after they started, a 25-member search party located the wreckage and the bodies of the pilot, co-pilot, and navigator. The plane had crashed in thick woods, some 1,000 yards from the park's picnic area. The wings were sheared by the trees, and the tail section separated. The area "reeked of high-octane gasoline" but there was no fire, as the pilot had cut power. The plane's gear was down. The wreckage was "less than two miles from the airport's control tower."

The dead airmen were Capt. Louis R. Gossman, pilot, First Lt. Norman W. Joyce, co-pilot, both of Donaldson Air Force Base, and First Lt. Robert W. Shaw, of Pope Air Force Base. The area was subsequently secured, though "crowds of curious persons" had converged on the wreckage earlier, "picking up souveniers from the broken parts of the plane." Cars also jammed the gate at the park entrance, and caused traffic problems on the highway. The process of moving the wreckage started on January 4. (January 2, 1953)^{rt03jan53, no04jan53, no05jan53}

1955, apparatus consists of:

• 1946 International / Bean pumper, 500 GPM

• 1952 Chevrolet pick-up with skid-mounted dual-agent system (October 1, 1955)^{oh, faj}

1955, Terminal opens (October 1, 1955)

1959, apparatus delivery: Walter Class 1500, first crash truck, purchased new^oh

1964, twin-engine private plane crashes on take-off. Aircraft is "completely wrecked" after coming down in a "sandy area" past the runway. Four residents from Silver Springs, Maryland, escape injury, breaking windows in craft and climbing out. After walking "about a mile, " they reach the runway and flag down a United Airlines plane "ready to take-off. " At about the same time, a search party "organized at the airport terminal" reaches them reports the February 21 edition of The Raleigh Times (February 21, 1964)

1965, private plane crashes into lake at Umstead State Park while attempting landing at airport. Five people killed after landing in freezing waters about two miles south of airport.  Searching party finds body of woman floating near the plane.  Crash occurs between 10:30 and 11 p.m. Plane is found in middle of 55-acre lake, submerged except for portion of tail.  (February 25, 1965) ^no26feb65

1965, one-person rotorcraft crashes. Pilot is killed during low-altitude, high-speed maneuver as part of final day of third annual Popular Rotocraft Association fly-in. Aircraft crashes around noon from some 20 feet off the ground.  (June 27, 1965) ^no28jun65

1966, one-person rotorcraft crashes on east end of east-west runway. Pilot is killed instantly when aircraft plummets an estimated 1, 500 feet.  Accident occurs about 11:30 a.m. (October 22, 1966) ^no23oct66

1966 (?), apparatus note: skid-mounted dual-agent system moved from 1952 Chevrolet pick-up to 1966 Chevrolet pick-up ^oh

1967, passenger plane suffers nose wheel collapse. United Airlines Viscount spews "sheet of flame" from front of plane on landing as it skids to a halt, reports the November 29 edition of The Raleigh Times. Crash crews extinguish flames immediately. Four person are treated at Wake Memorial Hospital, including one woman who suffers a skinned knee from using the canvas escape chute. The incident occurs about 9 p. m. The flight is inbound from Washington D. C. (November 28, 1967)

1968, twin-engine private plane crashes on take-off, crashing about a half-mile away from the front of the main terminal. One passenger killed; two others injured. Incident occurs about 12: 20 a.m.  Aircraft is headed west and crashes about 2,300 feet from the end of the runway, having veered around 750 feet to the left.  (December 16, 1968) ^no17dec68

1969, apparatus delivery: 1969 (?) International / Ansul Magnum 480 crash truck with 1350 pounds of Purple-K dry-chemical and 200 gallons of light water.  Placed in service as CT-2.  Siren added in 1981. ^{faj, oh}

1970, twin-engine private plane crashes south of Interstate 40. All five passengers killed while aircraft attempts landing in fog. Late-night crash site is not discovered until morning. ²

1971, single-engine private plane collides with Eastern Airlines passenger jet southwest of airport. Both people aboard Cessna 206 are killed when McDonnell Douglas DC-9 descends on top of it, while on final approach to Runway 5.  Accident occurs at 1:46 p.m.  Cessna crashes.  Flight #898 carries 23 passengers and four crew.  NTSB determines probable cause as "inadequacy of air traffic control facilities and services in flightpaths of the two aircraft and the configurations physically limited each flightcrew's ability to see and avoid the other aircraft." (February 4, 1971 -OR- December 4, 1971)^{no, ntsb/asn}

1972, single-engine private plane crash lands on rural road near airport. The nose gear of the Cessna 182 is torn off and the plane flips on its back and becomes tangled in some power lines, about ten feet off the paved road. Both occupants are transported to the hospital by State Highway Patrol helicopter, which located the crash site at 12: 35 p. m. about two miles northeast of the airport. no¹ (April 13, 1972)

1973, apparatus delivery:  1973 Walter CB3000 crash truck, purchased new and placed in service as CT-4. Capacity 3000 gallons water and 500 gallons ARFF foam.  Equipped with dual driving engines, dual transmissions, and dual 750 GPM pumps.  Crash truck can be driven with both, pump with one and drive with other, or pump 'n' drive with both.  Doesn't have any mufflers.  Diesel engines are Detroit 6V92s (?) ^oh

1973, fourth apparatus bay added onto fire station to accommodate new crash truck.  Small classroom is located in rear with storage area above classroom. ^oh

1975, Eastern Air Lines passenger jet crashes short of runaway.  About 8:00 p.m., the Boeing 727 strikes the ground approximately 282 feet short of runway 23, bounces up onto the runway, and slides to stop 4,150 feet past runway threshold.  Accident occurs during instrument landing system (ILS) approach during heavy rain showers.  Aircraft is substantially damaged, with belly of plane caving in and the flaps sheared off of both wings. Landing gear apparently collapsed upon landing. Of 139 persons aboard craft, eight are injured, one serious.  NTSB determines probably cause as "pilot's failure to execute a missed approach when he lost sight of the runway environment in heavy rain below decision height." (November 12, 1975) ^{ntsb, nonov13}

1975, former Cary Fire Chief Terry Edmundson is hired as training officer.^{oh, rt02jun77}

1975 (?), airport apparatus all painted lime-yellow (not safety yellow) ^oh

1977, as reported on the front page of the newspaper, The Raleigh Times conducts series of lengthy interviews with "fire crash rescue manager" Terry Edmundson, who expresses grave concerns that his 22 part-time fighters are inadequately trained to deal with a major air disaster.  Edmondson notes that his personnel also function as linemen who fuel and service private airplanes-- something not required of firefighters at other similar-size airports.  In addition to lacking training, Edmondson tells the newspaper that the department's communication system is inadequate, walkie-talkies needed to supplement radios in the four fire trucks which can only reach the control tower.  He also states that airport firefighters should have medical skills beyond the basic first aid required by the FAA.  The newspaper notes that the airport was certified by the FAA on March 22 and that airport fire departments served by major airlines are required only to meet FAA and not state or local requirements.  They are required to have adequate fire and medical equipment, that firefighters know how to operate the equipment, and have basic first aid and some firefighting training.  The exact amount of training is not specified.  Airport fire trucks must also be able to respond to the midpoint of the furthest runway from the firehouse within three minutes. (June 2, 1977) ^rt

1977, in another front page article, The Raleigh Times reports that while eight firefighters are normally on duty during daylight operations, only two people are working between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.  During that time, nine commercial airliners arrive and department and about 10 private planes land.  The newspaper also notes that sometimes only one firefighter is actually at the firehouse as the other must go on patrol to keep deer off the runway and perform other duties such as replace burned out runway lights.  This is contrasted to the 11 firefighters on-duty around the clock at Charlotte's Douglas Airport and the seven firefighters maintaining similar shifts at the Greensboro / Winston-Salem Regional Airport. (June 13, 1977) ^rt

1977, Airport Authority members express concern about "conflicting accounts" regarding effectiveness of fire department.  Member J. Willie York, citing stories read in The Raleigh Times, moves to hire retired Raleigh Fire Chief Jack Keeter to independently review the airport's crash-fire-rescue capabilities.  Authority members unanimously agree to hire Keeter for a fee of about $35 an hour. (June 21, 1977) ^rt22jun77

1977, Region J Emergency Medical Services Council votes to send "statement of concern" to airport officials over safety provisions.  Group includes hospital and emergency medical workers and government workers representing Wake, Durham, Orange, Chatham, Lee, and Johnston counties.  Concerns are voiced concerning airport's handling of single-engine plane crash 100 yards short of the airport on June 13, when a State Police helicopter was on scene within minutes and offered to transport an injured passenger to North Carolina Memorial Hospital.  Instead, airport officials called the Cary Rescue Squad, which resulted in a 45-minute transport time.  In addition, Wake Medical Center was placed "on alert" for an aircraft emergency, but with no additional information regarding aircraft type or number of persons aboard.  Action comes hours after airport authority meeting on same subject. (June 22, 1977) ^nojun23

1977, in another front page article, The Raleigh Times surveys six comparable airports in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee and finds all have full-time firefighters with better staffing, more training, and higher pay. (June 25, 1977) ^rt

1977, in another front page article, The Raleigh Times reports that airport firefighters have received additional training, night-time staffing has increased with a third person added to work until midnight, and airport officials are investigating the purchase of additional communications equipment.  Consultant Jack Keeter's report is expected by the end of the month. (June 21, 1977) ^rt

1977, altitude warning device installed in airport's computerized radar system (August 2, 1977) ^rt

1977, fully-loaded food truck catches fire on US.70 about one-quarter mile north of the airport exit. One foam truck responds, along with two Durham Highway units.  Truck becomes fully involved when one of two freshly filled 100-gallon gasoline tanks ignites.  Smoke is visible for miles. (August 8, 1977) ^rt

1977, Jack Keeter reports back to Airport Authority, advising that airport firefighters are inadequately trained, are undermanned, are underpaid, and lack proper radio equipment.  His recommendations include:

• hire two full-time firefighters to man the fire station around the clock and assist part-time firemen who also work as linemen

• have at least three firemen should be on duty at the firehouse at all times in addition to part-time firefighters who are servicing private planes

• purchase radio equipment so firefighters don't have to communicate through the control tower

• provide training using air masks in smoke and fire conditions at the Raleigh Fire Department drill tower

• raise firefighter salaries from current $6,841 per year to $7,200 per year, and to $7,900 per year after twelve months on job

• purchase an additional fire truck

• instruct airport police to work with firefighters to control crowds and direct arriving emergency vehicles in the event of disaster (September 14, 1977) ^rt

1977, airport makes $200,000 worth of improvements [source: News and Observer, February 13, 1980], including:

• apparatus purchase: 1977 Walter B1500 crash truck, delivered new in fall or winter of 1977 and placed in service as CT-3.  Capacity is 1500 gallons water and 180 gallons ARFF foam.  Equipped with 1000 GPM pump driven by separate engine

• purchase of radio equipment

• hiring of ten personnel ^oh

1977, full-time staffing starts during hours that commercial flights are arriving and departing from airport. Shifts are 12 hours, with firefighters working two days on and two days off. (Fall 1977)

Personnel assigned as follows:
 

Prior to this point, firefighters are ramp personnel with fire training who respond from North and South ramps when siren sounds, which could be activated from the control tower. Fire crews continuing filling dual roles with separately assigned ramp crews until about 1979, when Airport Authority sells aircraft fueling business. ^oh

1978, twin-engine private plane crashes near airport. Aero Commander 680 disappears from radar at 8 p. m. and begins emitting automatic distress signal. About 300 searchers, including private citizens who join after hearing about the crash on their CB radio, are hampered by fog, swampy, wooden terrain, difficulty tracing the emergency transmitted of a downed craft. ^no2 One or more local television stations scroll message across bottom of screen announcing crash and that authorities need everyone with a CB radio to report to the airport. People begin streaming into airport with cars lined up on I-40 and US70 for at least a mile in each direction. Airport Road is equally crammed, with people chasing down all sorts of reports and little convoys of cars and trucks going everywhere. Meanwhile, a member of Raleigh's Civil Air Patrol is attempting to take-off when his Emergency Location Transmitter (ELT) is activated, sending rescuers to the north area of the airport. ^oh

After a Coast Guard helicopter from Elizabeth City equipped with triangulation equipment arrives, a command post is set up on Interstate 40. The wreckage site is narrowed to an area south of I-40 and, about an hour, is spotted by members of the search party. Two survivors are located, one who is pinned in the wreckage for five hours and later listed in fair condition, and another with frostbite on both legs and multiple abrasions and cuts, having apparently been thrown from the plane and discovered wandering about 200 feet from the wreckage crying "Mama, help me. "Four others are dead. Cause of crash is not immediately known, though one of survivors says the plane "hit one hell of a tall tree, " lost its left wing, and spun to the ground. Authorities also discover at least $20, 000 in cash and about 2 pounds of marijuana in the wreckage. ^no2 (February 13, 1978)

1978, twin-engine private plane crashes at airport. Beechcraft Bonanza loses power during afternoon take-off from Runway 5. Crashes just across runway from North Ramp about 100 yards into woods. Occupants walk away but are treated at local hospitals (Fall 1978) ^oh

1978, private plane crashes just short of Runway 5 . No fatalities.  Aircraft operated by Wheeler Air Lines, small commuter service based at RDU ^oh

1979 (?), apparatus delivery: 1979 Chevrolet / Reading / Ansul rescue truck with skid-mounted dual-agent system with 450 pounds of dry-chemical and 50 gallons of light water. ^faj Placed in service as CT-1. Also serves as EMS response vehicle and carries full range of extrication equipment, including Hurst power tool previously carried on CT-2.^oh

1979 (?), private plane crashes just east of approach to Runway 5. Incident occurs in afternoon, during a thunderstorm. No fatalities. ^oh

1979, Airport Authority sells aircraft fueling business. Firefighters no longer fulfill dual roles. Several personnel laid off, but quickly hired by Raleigh-Durham Aviation and Raleigh Flying Service Staffing schedule changes to three persons from 0700-1900, three persons from 1900-1700, and one 1200-2400 person. ^oh

1979 (?), non-EMT member of night crew rides with lone airport police office for four or five months, after one of the police officers is assaulted by several individuals one evening. Assailants are believed to be either hunters or a "ticked off husband, " depending upon who tells the story. During same period, firefighters are not supposed to sleep at night. ^oh

1980, single-engine private plane crashes at airport. Pilot killed while practicing take-offs and landings. ^no Passenger seriously injured ^oh (February 13, 1980)

1980, private plane crashes at airport. Aircraft from Richmond runs out of fuel just short of Runway 23 (present Runway 23L). Firefighters actually observe plane go down. Two people are injured, but walk away from crash. (February 16, 1980) ^oh

1980 (?), apparatus note: designations changed from CT to CFR. e. g. , from CT-1 to CFR 1 ^oh

1980 (?), apparatus note: skid-agent dual-agent system moved from 1966 Chevrolet pick-up onto trailer ^oh

1980, fire station moved into airport multi-purpose building #3. (Late 1980) ^oh

1980, firefighters are unionized with IAFF in February 1980 ^nofeb13. Airport Authority never officially recognizes union, but several changes result:

• working hours and staffing levels changed from 12 hour shifts with three personnel on duty to 24 hour shifts with five personnel on duty

• rescue and EMS capabilities upgraded

• communications equipment upgraded, with VHF portable radios made available

• fire station expanded. Located in airport multi-purpose building #3, living quarters consist entirely of one big day room. Funds are provided to divide it into three bedrooms (one for the Lieutenant, one for female firefighters, and one for male firefighters), a day room, and a radio desk area. Two storage rooms are converted into a kitchen and an office for the shift Lieutenants (presently called Captains). The closet from the Chief's office is converted to a shower and a door is added between it and the restroom. Firefighters do most (all?) of the work. ^oh

1981, twin-engine private plane experiences landing-gear collapse upon landing. No one is injured aboard Beechcraft BE-95. (May 26, 1981)^faa

1981, Altair Airlines Fokker F-28 makes emergency landing after three people are injured and aircraft sustains minor damage from air turbulence (June 2, 1981)^faa

1981, twin-engine private plane makes emergency landing after landing gear fails to lower. No one is injured aboard the Beechcraft BE-58 (October 5, 1981)^faa

1981, Terminal A opens

1982, Piper Cherokee crashes into Umstead Park.  Seconds after taking off, pilot sees flames coming from engine and radios tower.  His last words are "so long."  Plane crashes into treetops of Umstead Park about midnight, landing upside down and in flames.  Pilot escapes after kicking out cockpit door, suffering a few broken ribs and cuts to his head and arms.  Plane lands a quarter of a mile froma parking lot near the main entrance and is located two hours later, at about 2 a.m., with three helicopters-- North Carolina National Guard, WTVD-TV, and WRAL-TV-- and more than 100 rescue workers searching for the downed craft. (Wednesday before August 6, 1982) ^{noaug6, oh}

1982, twin-engine air taxi makes emergency landing after engine fails at cruise altitude. Camshaft failure and crankcase crack discovered. No one is injured aboard the Piper PA-60 (November 30, 1982)^faa

1982, firefighter's union disbands due to internal conflicts ^oh

1984, twin-engine private plane makes emergency landing after landing gear fails to lower. No one is injured aboard the Piper PA-60 (June 15, 1984)^faa

1984, electrical fire forces evacuation of about 1,500 travelers and employees from Terminal B.  Fire starts and is confined to ground-floor janitor's room.  Smoke from the room, located three floors below control tower, filters up second and third floors.  Fire also knocks out power, as room carries electrical and telephone wires (and plumbing) throughout terminal building.  Airport officials begin investigating report of smoke by a security guard about 9:30 a.m.  Airport police officers check the building but are unable to locate the source of the smoke.  During a second search, the source of the smoke is located.  About 1,500 passengers and airport workers are evacuated about 12:30 p.m. Fire is quickly extinguished by firefighters from two Morrisville fire companies, one Durham Public Safety fire company, and the airport fire department. For about eight hours afterward, air traffic controllers in Virginia handle incoming and outgoing flights while RDU controllers man a rooftop and direct flight traffic via high-powered walkie talkies when aircraft come within 200 to 300 feet of ground. A second controller elsewhere on airport grounds then communicated the information via telephone to the Virginia control center.  A total of 179 flights are handled by the Virginia control center. (November 25, 1984) ^no26nov84

1984, single-engine private plane damaged while taxiing to tie-down area. Piper PA-28 strikes unoccupied helicopter dolly "dark in color and unlighted. "Landing gear is torn off plane. (December 14, 1984)^faa

1985, experimental home-built plane crashes at Umstead State Park shortly after takeoff. Pilot of McClellan J. Grote Dragonfly is killed.  Owner / builder prepares aircraft for its first flight, including high-speed taxi tests, repairs to a brake line, and engine adjustments.  Two 17.6 pound barbell eights are tied to the wing lift bulkhead with 5/16 inch hemp rope for purposes of weight and balance.  Decision is made for owner's father, an experienced pilot, to fly initial test flight.  Pilot makes a high-speed run with option to takeoff, but aborts when engine developed a miss.  Pilot performs a satisfactory run-up and becomes airborne on next attempt.  After taking off, pilot remains in traffic pattern and turns onto a downwind for Runway 23.  Aircraft then noses over and crashes in a near-vertical descent.  Two helicopters utilized in search effort, one from North Carolina National Guard and one from WRAL-TV.  Subsequent examination of flight control system reveals no evidence of pre-impact malfunction.  All fractures show evidence of overload failure.  Ballast weights were not secured in accordance with normal aeronautical practices.  There is evidence that they could have come loose and jammed the flight controls or shifted the center of gravity. (February 22, 1985) ^{ntsb, oh}

1985, single-engine private plane lands without landing gear. Pilot forgets to lower gear on Cessena CE-210 and is not injured (April 17, 1985) ^faa

1986, twin-engine private plane crashes at Umstead State Park after takeoff. Pilot and wife are killed after Piper PA-60 taking off from Runway 14.  Ground witnesses and control tower observe aircraft using nearly all of runway for takeoff roll.  After an abrupt rotation, controller observes aircraft yaw to left and make low-altitude left turn.  Seconds later, the aircraft rapidly descends into the trees and catches fire.  Left propeller is found in feathered position and left engine is consumed by ground fire.  No evidence of internal engine failure.  Witnesses heard the aircraft takeoff with a series of loud backfires 25 days prior to accident.  Injector nozzles on right engine were leaned to correct the problem after six hours of operation one week later.  Pilots log fails to show any recent training in single engine procedures. ^{ntsb, no} Same pilot was surrounded by Secret Service agents a few weeks earlier during visit by President Ronald Reagan, after attempting to taxi out during time President is on the airport. Pilot is held until President gets off airport. Conspiracy theories abound after pilot's death just a short time later. ^oh (July 24, 1986)

1986, United Airlines passenger jet on final approach struck by bullet fired by hunter. One passenger injured aboard Boeing 737. (December 31, 1986) ^faa

1986, Assistant Chief Jimmy Thompson named Fire Chief after Terry Edmundson dies prior to new station opening ^oh

1986, present station opens when Terminal C and 10, 000 foot runway both open ^oh

1987, single-engine private plane makes forced landing on lake [near airport?]Amphibious aircraft strikes shore and sustains minor damage. No injures aboard aircraft (January 2, 1987)^faa

1987, private planes crashes upon landing after encountering wake turbulence. Two people seriously injured. (July 14, 1978) ^ntsb

1987, twin-engine air taxi catches fire on rollout. Piper PA-31 is evacuated. Fire started by oil leaking from engine nacelle due to oil cap not properly secured. None of five occupants injured (November 9, 1987)^faa

1987, Delta Airlines passenger jet experiences turbulence. Flight attendant sustains broken ankle. (November 10, 1987) ^ntsb

1988, CCAir commuter plane makes emergency landing. Smoke discovered in cabin of Jetstream 41. Plane lands safely. Failed seal found in right engine compressor (January 28, 1988)^faa

1988, American Eagle commuter plane crashes at RDU. Both crew and all 10 passengers killed aboard after Fairchild SA227-AC crashes shortly after takeoff.  Aircraft departs during low ceiling, low visibility, and night conditions, impacting a reservoir along Aviation Parkway.  Analysis of radar data indicates aircraft in 45 degree descending turn.  Examination of aircraft trim system shows same trimmed for level flight.  No voice or flight data recorder aboard.  Review of air traffic control communications indicate Captain was communicating with controllers and allowing First Officer to accomplish flying duties.  Examination of wreckage reveals no indications of power plant or system failures.  Evidence is found, however, that the SAS warning light was illuminated, the SAS switch was in the off position, and no SAS system malfunction is found.  Witnesses state that before the flight the Captain had complained of illness but decided to report for duty.  Company records show instances of substandard performance by First Office.  Investigation finds company oversight of training, operations, and inadequate FAA supervision. (February 19, 1988) ^ntsb

1988, private planes collide near airport.  Two people are killed and one person is uninjured aboard Piper PA-28R and Cessna 172, both departing for formation flight to Petersburg, VA.  Piper is lead aircraft and Cessna is wingman.  Cessna pilot later reports that during takeoff and initial climb, the lead aircraft begins to accelerate ahead of him.  The Piper turns slightly right and levels at approximately 1500' as the Cessna tries to regain position and keep lead aircraft in sight.  Wingman reports having difficult seeing lead aircraft with city lights in background.  Wingman's aircraft begins "building up momentum" and he trims to level off at 1500'.  After flight is cleared to contact departure control, wingman looks away to locate and change radio frequencies.  While changing frequencies, he loses sight of the lead aircraft.  Subsequently, the Cessna converges on the Piper, but the wingman doesn't see it until just before his prop and nose gear strike the vertical fin and fuselage of the piper.  The Piper enters an uncontrolled descent and crashes.  The Cessna's engine loses power, but the wingman makes a successful forced landing on Runway 32 with a failed nose gear. (May 25, 1988) ^ntsb

1988, airport name changes to Raleigh-Durham International Airport with inaugural American Airlines flight to Paris (May 1988)

1988, gasoline tanker overturns in Johnston County. CFR 3 responds to US 70 at Guy Road (Summer 1988) ^oh

1989, apparatus delivery: Walter / CRES B1500 crash truck, original owner unknown. Placed in service as CFR 2, replacing 1969 International / Ansul ^faj

1989, private plane aborts takeoff and skids off runway (June 24, 1989) ^ntsb

1989, private plane crashes near airport.  One person killed aboard Beechcraft E55 after flight departs airport at 11:19 a.m.  At 11:22 a.m., flight is cleared to Tar River VOR.  Pilot "rogers" instructions as last recorded conversation.  Witnesses report hearing engines revving up before aircraft impacts ground.  One witness reports seeing airplane is nose-low attitude before impact.  No weather difficulties were reported by pilot and no depictions of thunderstorm activity within the flight plan vicinity were seen on radar.  No pre-impact failure or malfunction is found.  Radar data shows some instability in heading, altitude, and airspeed between 11:20:51 a.m. and 11:23:40 a.m..  (August 10, 1989) ^ntsb

2001, private plane crashes into house near Umstead Park.

From NTSB preliminary report:

"On December 12, 2001, about 1906 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-46-350P, N41003, operated by M&M Aero LLC, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 business flight impacted with a private home in a residential area about 2 miles southeast of the Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) Airport, Raleigh, North Carolina. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed. An IFR flight plan was filed and activated. The airplane and a house were destroyed. The private rated-pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. There were no injuries on the ground. The flight had originated from the Dothan, Alabama Airport at 1600 central standard time. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC) the flight was picked up over the Buzzy intersection at 9, 000 feet and the pilot requested lower. He was given 6, 000 feet and once he joined the localizer, he was given a further clearance to 3, 000 feet. In addition, he was asked to maintain 170 knots until the final approach fix.

The pilot was cleared for the ILS Runway 5R approach and was observed on radar at 2, 900 feet, at a speed of 150 knots at the final approach fix. The local tower controller issued the pilot clearance to land runway 5R and gave him the rollout runway visual range (RVR) of 4, 000 feet.

Radar showed that after crossing the final approach fix the flight maintained an altitude of 2, 900 well above the glide path and a ground speed of about 118. During the entire approach until midway down the runway the flight never descended below 2, 000 feet. The controller asked the pilot if he was going around and he answered he was. ATC cleared the pilot to maintain 2, 000 feet, and fly runway heading, which the pilot read back correctly. Radar data showed the airplane turned right to a heading of about 123 degrees then descended to 1, 400 feet and within 5 seconds climbed to 1, 600 feet. The flight stayed at 1, 600 feet for about 30 seconds and then disappeared from radar.

The reported weather at RDU at 1803 was: wind calm, visibility 1/4 mile, ceilings 100 broken, 800 overcast, temperature 52 degrees F, and dew point 52 degrees F, altimeter 30. 31 in Hg. " (December 12, 2001)

2002, apparatus modifications:  logos added of Casper the Friendly Ghost^tm (August 2002)

2002, mock plane crash conducted (November 2002)

2004, Navy F/A-18 Hornet explodes on take-off.  Pilot safely ejects.  Plane continues rolling and comes to rest about 250 feet from Terminal A.  Jet is one of two refueling at airport.  Raleigh Engine 24, Engine 23, Engine 17, Engine 18, Truck 16, Batallon 4, and Car 5 are dispatched, along with Durham Highway and Western Wake units.  (March 26, 2004) ^{no01apr04, oh}

2004, single-engine private plane makes emergency landing on Aviation Parkway at 1:50 p.m.  Pilot reports losing air pressure after taking off and makes safe landing on southbound lanes while attempting to return to airport.  Aircraft is not damaged.  Raleigh Engine 24 responds along with CFR.  (March 31, 2004) ^no01apr04

2005, apparatus delivery:  2005 Ford F-550/4 Guys mini-pumper with 500 GPM pump, 250 gallons of water, and 20-gallon foam cell. Placed in service as CFR 1. (November 2005)