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Plane crash sparks mystery in Alabama as pilot was nowhere to be found

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Plane crash sparks mystery in Alabama as pilot was nowhere to be found


An abandoned, bloodstained plane was mysteriously found wrecked in a secluded Alabama airfield, with no pilot to be found.

On Friday morning, the Elberta Volunteer Fire Department responded to a crash in Baldwin County – located on the Gulf Coast, just east of Mobile – where a small Cessna 182 aircraft reportedly had gone down, as reported by WPMI News.

But when authorities arrived, they found the small aircraft flipped upside down, bloodstains and shattered glass inside, with no sign of a pilot – or anyone else.

‘It was flipped upside down and the occupants were no longer there,’ Baldwin County Emergency Management Director Tom Tyler told AL.com.

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‘They apparently had walked away and were transported somewhere,’ he added.

At around 9am Friday morning, the fire department was alerted to a crash involving a Cessna 182 – a lightweight, single-engine, two-seater plane – in a field off Gardner Road and County Road 95.

The last known details of the flight’s route were recorded in data from FlightRadar24, which showed the aircraft circling the Orange Beach area before heading north and ultimately vanishing from the radar, WPMI reported.

First responders and emergency personnel quickly arrived on the scene, prepared to administer first aid to the pilot and any passengers injured in the crash, according to WKRG News.

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An abandoned, bloodstained plane was mysteriously found wrecked discovered in a secluded Alabama airfield, with no pilot to be found (pictured) 

On Friday morning, the Elberta Volunteer Fire Department responded to a crash in Baldwin County - located on the Gulf Coast, just east of Mobile - where a small Cessna 182 aircraft reportedly had gone down (pictured)

On Friday morning, the Elberta Volunteer Fire Department responded to a crash in Baldwin County – located on the Gulf Coast, just east of Mobile – where a small Cessna 182 aircraft reportedly had gone down (pictured)

When authorities arrived, they found the small aircraft flipped upside down, bloodstains and shattered glass inside, with no sign of occupants - with Baldwin County Emergency Management Director Tom Tyler (pictured) believing they 'walked away'

When authorities arrived, they found the small aircraft flipped upside down, bloodstains and shattered glass inside, with no sign of occupants – with Baldwin County Emergency Management Director Tom Tyler (pictured) believing they ‘walked away’

However, all they found was a completely abandoned aircraft, with no occupants in sight – only traces of blood and shattered glass inside the otherwise empty plane.

Images from the crash site, obtained by WKRG, revealed that the plane’s wing appeared to have been damaged, likely from the force of impact with the ground.

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‘They had about 50 gallons of fuel onboard,’ Tyler told AL.com. ‘But there was no leaking or no oil that the first responders could see.’ 

Upon further investigation, tire marks were also discovered at the crash site, hinting at a more puzzling scenario, Tyler explained.

As authorities attempted to find and contact the plane’s owner and missing pilot, initial theories suggested that those on board may have been taken to a medical facility in Florida, WKRG reported.

By Friday afternoon, however, it remained unclear whether the occupants had been identified or located.

‘I’ve not been told of anybody self-reporting to a hospital for any kind of injuries associated with this,’ the EMA director told the outlet.

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Tyler also mentioned that he hadn’t heard of any injuries matching the crash, telling AL.com, ‘I certainly have not heard from any area hospitals.’

mages from the crash site revealed that the plane's wing appeared to have been damaged, likely from the force of impact with the ground (pictured)

mages from the crash site revealed that the plane’s wing appeared to have been damaged, likely from the force of impact with the ground (pictured)

Upon further investigation, tire marks were also discovered at the crash site, hinting at a more puzzling scenario (pictured: the field where the small aircraft crashed)

Upon further investigation, tire marks were also discovered at the crash site, hinting at a more puzzling scenario (pictured: the field where the small aircraft crashed)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to arrive on Monday, as the situation is not deemed urgent - no one was killed, and the aircraft is now considered abandoned (pictured: first responders on scene of the crash)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to arrive on Monday, as the situation is not deemed urgent – no one was killed, and the aircraft is now considered abandoned (pictured: first responders on scene of the crash)

Although the discovery was made Friday morning, officials later stated they believe the crash occurred around 5pm Thursday evening. 

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to arrive on Monday, as the situation is not deemed urgent – no one was killed, and the aircraft is now considered abandoned. 

Friday’s bizarre discovery comes just weeks after two people were killed when their small aircraft crashed near the Sugar Valley Airport in Mocksville, North Carolina, on June 3.

The cause of the deadly wreck – which also left one passenger seriously injured – was revealed to be a turtle on the runway that the pilot maneuvered to avoid.

A preliminary investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that the pilot had lifted the plane’s right main wheel to avoid striking the turtle, eventually leading to the fatal disaster. 

Just before touching down, a communications operator informed the pilot of the turtle. The operator told the NTSB that the pilot landed and traveled about halfway down the runway before lifting the wheel in an attempt to avoid hitting it.

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The plane ultimately left the operator’s view. A man cutting grass at the time reported seeing its wings ‘rock back and forth.’ 

The small aircraft took off again before disappearing over the trees. A witness then heard a ‘loud crash and saw smoke,’ according to the agency. 

It was found wedged between two trees in a heavily forested area, around 255 feet away from the runway. 

Although the aircraft remained intact, a fire soon broke out and the plane’s wings were completely burned off. 



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How to Watch Alabama vs North Dakota: Live Stream NCAA College Basketball, TV Channel

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How to Watch Alabama vs North Dakota: Live Stream NCAA College Basketball, TV Channel


The Alabama Crimson Tide will face the North Dakota Fighting Hawks in this college basketball matchup on Monday at Coleman Coliseum, and you can catch all the action with ESPN Unlimited.

How to Watch Alabama vs North Dakota

  • Date: Monday, November 3, 2025
  • Time: 8:00 PM ET
  • Channel: SEC Network+
  • Stream: ESPN Unlimited (watch now)

The Alabama Crimson Tide tip off the 2025‑26 season with plenty of momentum and transition under coach Nate Oats. After making a deep NCAA Tournament run last year, the Tide reload with young lead guard Labaron Philon Jr. stepping into a starring role and rising forward Keitenn Bristow bringing hype on the front line. Alabama’s roster also adds size and versatility through transfers like Noah Williamson, while returning shooters and athletes across the lineup support Oats’ up‑tempo, high‑spacing system. With their core freshened and expectations still high in the SEC, the key question is: can they take the next step and turn deep-tournament potential into a title-contending run?

The North Dakota Fighting Hawks enter the 2025‑26 season with a blend of rebuilding and hope under seventh‑year head coach Paul Sather. Fresh off a 12‑21 season (5‑11 in the Summit League), they’ll lean heavily on senior guard Eli King for leadership while integrating seven newcomers into the rotation. The schedule opens with a tough road game at Alabama Crimson Tide, setting the tone early for a season shaped by growth more than expectation. With only one returning starter, chemistry will take time—but if the freshmen acclimate and the Hawks tighten defensively, they could surprise in Summit League play.

This is a great college basketball matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.

Live stream Alabama vs North Dakota on SEC Network+ with ESPN Unlimited: Start your subscription now!

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Alabama expands global reach with new business development office in Tokyo

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Alabama expands global reach with new business development office in Tokyo


During the 47th annual Southeast U.S./Japan Association (SEUS-Japan) Joint Meeting in Tokyo, the Alabama Department of Commerce recently celebrated the opening of a new business development office in Japan, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the state’s economic relationship with one of its most valued international



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How much is UA paying Alabama women’s basketball non-con opponents for 2025-26 season?

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How much is UA paying Alabama women’s basketball non-con opponents for 2025-26 season?


Alabama women’s basketball embarks on its non-conference schedule with a season opener against Stetson, but how much the Crimson Tide’s opponents make from the University of Alabama before SEC play begins in January?

The Tuscaloosa News obtained contract information via an open records request to determine the amount of money that UA will be paying out during the 2025-26 non-conference slate.

Fourteen non-conference foes are on the docket for Alabama, including teams that the Crimson Tide will face during the Pink Flamingo Championships in Nassau, Bahamas, over Thanksgiving. The only contract that wasn’t provided was Alabama’s SEC/ACC Challenge game against Clemson, scheduled for Dec. 4.

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Here’s what to know:

Stetson will receive $30,000 from the University of Alabama to travel to Tuscaloosa from DeLand, Florida. Sam Houston is Alabama’s other highest-paid opponent, bringing in $30,000 for the team’s trip from Huntsville, Texas.

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Alabama A&M, Alcorn State, McNeese State and Troy will receive $25,000 each. The guaranteed amount that Tulane will be paid is $24,000. Kennesaw State and Samford will receive $20,000 each. Receiving $10,000, the University of Louisiana-Monroe is the lowest-paid opponent Alabama will face.

The Crimson Tide is paying $37,500 to compete in the Pink Flamingos Championship, in which it will meet Harvard and either Minnesota or the University of South Florida.

Per contract agreement, six of Alabama’s non-conference opponents will also receive 15 hotel rooms per night, including Alabama A&M, Alcorn State, Jackson State, Kennesaw State, McNeese State and Tulane. Alabama A&M, Jackson State and Kennesaw State are approximately three hours away from Tuscaloosa, or less.

Minus hotel room costs, Alabama will pay a total of $296,500 to the aforementioned visiting non-conference opponents and to participate in the Pink Flamingos Championship.

Alabama and Stetson will tip off at 4 p.m. CT on Monday, Nov. 3 in Coleman Coliseum ahead of Alabama men’s basketball’s season opener against North Dakota at 7 p.m. on the same day.

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How Nate Oats, Alabama basketball is preparing for North Dakota opener

Here’s how Alabama basketball is preparing for its opener against North Dakota.

Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.



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