Tools:  

Eight Aircraft Destroyed in West Virginia T-Hangar Fire

A 1946 Aeronca Champ 7AC is one of several aircraft destroyed in a fire at the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport in Wiley Ford, West Virginia, late Wednesday night, December 7. Credit: Cumberland Times-News

December 8, 2011 – Fire swept through several T-hangars at the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport in Wiley Ford, West Virginia, late Wednesday night, destroying eight aircraft and damaging two others, along with motorcycles and other vehicles, according to a report in the Cumberland Times-News.

Airport Manager Terry Malone said the destroyed aircraft included two Beech Bonanzas, a Cessna 182, Aeronca Champ, Bellanca Viking, Piper Colt, J-3 Cub, and a gyrocopter. A Cessna 172 was severely damaged and another 182 was slightly damaged, he said.

Cause of the fire, which eight volunteer fire companies responded to following a 911 call at 10:53 p.m. EST, is being investigated by the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office. Crews were on the scene for more than two hours.

Malone said the fire destroyed 12 T-hangars in the 16-hangar area. Unconfirmed reports indicated damages could exceed a million dollars, according to the report.

---------------------------