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Pilot in deadly crash tried to dodge turtle on North Carolina runway, NTSB finds

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Pilot in deadly crash tried to dodge turtle on North Carolina runway, NTSB finds


A small private plane tried to dodge a turtle on a North Carolina runway before crashing into a wooded area earlier this month, killing the pilot and a passenger on board, officials said.

The pilot of the Universal Stinson 108 was attempting to touch down at Sugar Valley Airport just before noon on June 3 when a communications operator advised that the shelled reptile was on the runway, according to a National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report released Friday.

The pilot initially landed the plane about halfway down the 2,424-foot runway, then lifted the right main wheel and advanced the throttle to take off again in an attempt to avoid the terrapin, the report said.

Aerial view of Sugar Valley Airport runway, where a deadly crash occurred after a pilot tried to avoid a turtle. Sugar Valley Airport

The operator told officials she lost sight of the aircraft shortly before it crashed into a heavily wooded area roughly 255 feet past the runway and burst into flames in Mocksville, about 60 miles north of Charlotte.

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The plane was found wedged between several trees and largely intact, except for a few pieces of fabric discovered in a nearby stream, officials said.

A man cutting grass near the end of the runway also witnessed the pilot lift the wheel to spare the turtle, then saw the plane’s wings rocking as it took off again — before losing sight of the aircraft and later hearing a loud crash followed by billowing smoke.

A second passenger was seriously injured in the crash.


National Transportation Safety Board seal.
The reptile was on the runway at Sugar Valley Airport in Mocksville, causing the pilot of the Universal Stinson 108 to crash when they tried to avoid it, the NTSB said Friday. AP

The victims’ identities have not been released.

The wreckage and engine were preserved after the crash for further examination.

The deadly incident occurred nearly two months after a rabbit was sucked into a United Airlines plane’s engine, sparking a fire and forcing an emergency landing.

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Shocking footage captured flames shooting from one of the engines shortly after the Canada-bound plane departed Denver International Airport in Colorado.

The FAA reported more than 20,000 aircraft wildlife strikes in 2024 alone — most of them birds.



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North Carolina Airport Looks to Expand Commercial Service | AirlineGeeks.com

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North Carolina Airport Looks to Expand Commercial Service | AirlineGeeks.com


A small, mostly GA-focused airport in North Carolina will get $4.5 million to help attract a new airline.

WCTI-TV reported Wednesday that the money was allocated to Pitt-Greenville Airport in a state budget recently signed into law by Governor Josh Stein. The funding will support a revenue guarantee for carriers that opt to connect Greenville.

Many small airports use revenue guarantees to help reduce the financial risk for potential partner airlines.

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Currently, only American Airlines serves Greenville, with American Eagle commuter flights to Charlotte.

Airport Executive Director Brandon Craft told WCTI that the addition of another airline could help grow Greenville into a travel hub for eastern North Carolina. He also said that the airport is pursuing grants to help expand and improve its facilities.

Greenville is located about 80 miles east of Raleigh.



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NC Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 Day results for July 8, 2026

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The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Wednesday, July 8, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from July 8 drawing

12-29-37-43-55, Powerball: 18, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 8 drawing

Day: 2-9-0, Fireball: 5

Evening: 7-9-6, Fireball: 6

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 8 drawing

Day: 8-9-6-6, Fireball: 6

Evening: 3-4-8-5, Fireball: 4

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Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from July 8 drawing

07-13-19-23-33

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Double Play numbers from July 8 drawing

01-03-14-18-32

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 8 drawing

16-18-43-48-50, Bonus: 01

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Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.

For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:

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  • Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
  • Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
  • Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
  • NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
  • Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
  • Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.

When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
  • Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
  • Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.
  • Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Damaged Flock camera in North Carolina town sparks online debate over surveillance tech

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Damaged Flock camera in North Carolina town sparks online debate over surveillance tech


A damaged Flock Safety camera in Rutherfordton has reignited debate over the use of license plate reader technology, with thousands weighing in online after police shared a photo of the vandalized device.

The Rutherfordton Police Department posted an image of the damaged camera on social media, where the post quickly gained more than 20,000 comments. While some users condemned the vandalism, others praised the person responsible, with comments including “Not all heroes wear capes” and “Give them a medal.”

Local law enforcement officials said there is too much misinformation online about the cameras.

FLOCK CAMERA DAMAGED IN NORTH CAROLINA TOWN, PROMPTING POLICE STATEMENT

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“We’re seeing a lot of misconceptions that these cameras collect more data than they actually do,” said Capt. Ryan Bailey with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office. “The camera itself is only capturing the vehicle traveling down the road.”

Bailey said Flock cameras do not record video. Instead, they take still images of passing vehicles and capture license plate information. According to the sheriff’s office, those images are automatically deleted after 30 days.

The department also says safeguards are in place to prevent misuse of the system. Deputies are required to enter a case number before searching the database, allowing administrators to audit searches and ensure the technology is being used appropriately.

JULY 8, 2026 – A Flock camera in Rutherford County, North Carolina. (Photo: WLOS Staff)

Despite those protections, opinions among residents remain divided.

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“I don’t like that idea at all because of the over-abundance of electronics and interference in our privacy,” Rutherfordton resident Rachel Alexander said.

Others believe the cameras are a valuable investigative tool.

“I have no really negative opinion with them. I think they’re really helpful, especially with criminals and children abductions,” said local homeowner Phyllis Irvine.

POLL: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT FLOCK CAMERAS?

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office says the cameras have also proven useful in locating vulnerable people, including those with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other cognitive disabilities who may have gone missing while driving.

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Officials say the technology has become an important resource for investigations and emergency response across the county.

Flock cameras cost about $3,500 each. Law enforcement officials say anyone caught intentionally damaging one could face charges.



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