Archive of posts filed under the History category.

Emergency Landing of AirTran Airways Flight 913 in Greensboro – August 8, 2000

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Looking back at the emergency landing of AirTran Airways Flight 913 on Tuesday, August 8, 2000. About twenty minutes after the DC-9 departed Piedmont Triad International (PTI) Airport at ~3:15 p.m., the pilot reported thick smoke in the cabin. The captain declared an emergency and requested permission to return to the airport. The jetliner was …

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Nine Killed in Car Train Collision in Charlotte, 1931

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This is a blog version of a Facebook posting on July 30, 2025. In the wake of last week’s multi-fatality accident on I-485 that killed six people in a three-vehicle collision, let’s look back at the worst car accident in the history of the Charlotte area. Early Saturday morning, December 26, 1931, nine people were …

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Three People Killed in Charlotte Balloon Crash on October 21, 1976

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This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from September 24, 2024. Morning history. Here’s the story of another multi-fatality hot-air balloon crash in North Carolina. See prior posting on the subject. At 12:53 p.m. on October 21, 1976, a hot-air balloon crashed in downtown Charlotte. The two pilots and their passenger were killed. …

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Ocracoke Island Fireworks Truck Explosion – July 4, 2009

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This is part three of a multi-part series about fireworks incidents and disasters in North Carolina. Read others: Part 1  | Part 2  Part 3 – Ocracoke Island Fireworks Truck Explosion – July 4, 2009 See source materials in this Google Drive folder. On Saturday, July 4, 2009, around 8:00 a.m., a five-person crew from …

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Asheville Fireworks Store Explosion – December 24, 1936

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This is part two of a multi-part series about fireworks incidents and disasters in North Carolina. Read others: Part 1 | Part 3 Part 2 – Asheville Fireworks Store Explosion – December 24, 1936 See source materials in this Google Drive folder. Asheville Fireworks Store Explosion December 24, 1936 On Christmas Eve, 1936, around 10:13 p.m., …

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Topsail Island Pier Fire – May 17, 1984

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This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from July 28, 2026. See the source posting for many reader memories.  Evening history. More Topsail Island. Let’s go back to Thursday, May 17, 1984, and the fire that destroyed Paradise Pier on West Onslow Beach. Built in [goes here], the 650-foot long pier was a …

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Topsail Island (and More) Fire and Rescue History

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Presenting a history of fire and rescue services on Topsail Island as well as selected nearby fire and rescue departments in Pender and Onslow counties.  View visual history: JPG | PDF Read research notes (PDF) View various newspaper clippings in this Google Drive folder. Web page home page Social Postings Legeros Fire Line on Facebook – Search …

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