Under Construction Hangar Collapsed at Idaho Airport, Killing 3 and Injuring 9 On Site

A construction collapse occurred at Boise Airport in Idaho, which resulted in fatalities and injuries. The victims were reportedly located on high platforms, which required the need of specialized rescue efforts.

Big D Builders, the contractor team working on the $6.2 million jet hangar project, is concentrating on assisting its partners and people at this difficult time. The authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the cause of the accident.

(Photo : Washington Times/Terra Furman)

Construction Collapse

On Wednesday, Jan. 31, within the grounds of the airport in Boise, Idaho, a hangar that was being constructed collapsed. Boise Fire Department Operations Chief Aaron Hummel stated that authorities were dispatched to the privately owned steel-framed hangar at approximately 5:00 p.m. in response to its catastrophic collapse. 

It has been confirmed by the city of Boise that three individuals have been declared dead at the scene of the incident. Additionally, five of the nine injured were transported to the hospital in critical condition. Some of the victims, according to Hummel, were positioned on hoists or other elevated platforms when the structure collapsed, necessitating specialized rescue operations. During the incident, he claimed that a crane also fell.

A spokesman for Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Leticia Ramirez, indicated that medical and trauma personnel collaborated with first responders to treat individuals who arrived at the incident scene.

On the other hand, while Terra Furman was driving on Interstate 84 at approximately 5:30 p.m., she noticed roughly 20 police cars, ambulances, and firetrucks located about 400 meters away from the entrance to the airport. 

Based on her description, they were near a structure that had collapsed into the shape of an 'M' and a crane that had been folded in half. She noted a spot where the walls were still standing, and the middle collapsed on each side. Accordingly, the incident occurred close to Jackson Jet Center, a facility that provides maintenance and charter services for private aircraft. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the catastrophe. 

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Contractor of the Idaho Airport's Collapsed Building

Based on the Boise municipal permitting department records, the contractor, Big D Builders, had secured permits to build a jet hangar for Jackson Jet Center that was 39,000 square feet or 3,623 square meters in size. The project, estimated to cost $6.2 million, was going to involve the construction of a metal building and a concrete foundation. Big D Builders did not immediately respond to the phone calls and emails that were made in an attempt to obtain a statement from the company.

Nevertheless, Jackson Jet Center's chief executive officer, Jessica Flynn, expressed her condolences to all affected by this accident. As per Flynn, the building's collapse took place at a location that was near the site of the construction of the new hangar for the corporation. 

She added that in the area, there were dozens of people working. They reportedly do not have a single clue as to what triggered the collapse of the hangar. Currently, the company's primary focus is on assisting our personnel and partners as they go through this challenging period.

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