Archive of posts filed under the Incidents category.

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

Posted by on

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 …

Continue reading ‘Emergency Landing of AirTran Airways Flight 913 in Greensboro – August 8, 2000’ »

Nine Killed in Car Train Collision in Charlotte, 1931

Posted by on

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 …

Continue reading ‘Nine Killed in Car Train Collision in Charlotte, 1931’ »

Ocracoke Island Fireworks Truck Explosion – July 4, 2009

Posted by on

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 …

Continue reading ‘Ocracoke Island Fireworks Truck Explosion – July 4, 2009’ »

Drownings at Raleigh Beach

Posted by on

Presenting a list of drowning victims at Raleigh Beach, a popular swimming and fishing spot on the Neuse River, on the border of Raleigh and Knightdale.  Total 28 known drowning victims.  1930 to 1969 2 victims – 1930-07-22 – Two teenagers drowned during an outing with a larger group. The girl, 16, had waded into …

Continue reading ‘Drownings at Raleigh Beach’ »

Asheville Fireworks Store Explosion – December 24, 1936

Posted by on

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., …

Continue reading ‘Asheville Fireworks Store Explosion – December 24, 1936’ »

Topsail Island Pier Fire – May 17, 1984

Posted by on

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 …

Continue reading ‘Topsail Island Pier Fire – May 17, 1984’ »

Dixie Fireworks Company Explosion – Zebulon, NC – October 26, 1939

Posted by on

This is part one of a multi-part series about fireworks incidents and disasters in North Carolina. Read others: Part 2 | Part 3 Part 1 – Dixie Fireworks Company Explosion – Zebulon, NC – October 26, 1939 See source materials in this Google Drive folder. Background On October 12, 1937, the Zebulon Record ran a front-page …

Continue reading ‘Dixie Fireworks Company Explosion – Zebulon, NC – October 26, 1939’ »

Two Alarms on Maplecroft Court – June 15, 2026

Posted by on

Mike Legeros photos See more photos | Listen to radio traffic Two alarms were struck on Monday afternoon, June 15, 2026, at 11115 Maplecroft Court off T.W. Alexander Drive on the western edge of Raleigh. Engine 24 was first-arriving with heavy fire at a townhome building. Four townhomes were damaged. None were occupied at the …

Continue reading ‘Two Alarms on Maplecroft Court – June 15, 2026’ »

Charlotte Chemical Laboratories Fire – July 9, 1959

Posted by on

Looking back at the Charlotte Chemical Laboratories Explosion on July 9, 1959, that injured 11 firefighters. Below are research notes.  Contents News stories History book excerpt Recollections of George Greene Full Operational Reconstruction Part 1 – News Stories Transcription of news articles (PDF) Google drive of news articles Part 2 – Charlotte Fire Department History …

Continue reading ‘Charlotte Chemical Laboratories Fire – July 9, 1959’ »