Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Teen Driver Crashes Mustang Into Parked Plane After Police Pursuit
Police say a 17-year-old driver did not stop when a trooper tried to pull him over.
The driver allegedly sped away in a Ford Mustang without using its headlights.
The Mustang broke through a fence at Portsmouth International Airport.
It crossed the area where aircraft are parked.
The car hit a tractor and then a parked Pilatus PC-12 airplane.
The plane’s wing and landing gear were badly damaged, and fuel leaked.
No employees or other people were hurt, and airport flights continued normally.
The driver was taken to a hospital and faces several charges.
A 17-year-old allegedly fled a police traffic stop in a black 2008 Ford Mustang.
The Mustang breached a perimeter fence at Portsmouth International Airport in New Hampshire.
The vehicle struck a ground-support tractor and then a parked Pilatus PC-12 aircraft.
The aircraft’s left wing and landing gear were reportedly damaged, and a fuel leak was reported.
The driver was taken to a hospital and faces multiple charges, while no other injuries were reported.
- Who
- A 17-year-old New Hampshire driver, a police trooper, and PlaneSense were involved.
- What
- A Ford Mustang allegedly fleeing police breached an airport fence and struck a ground-support tractor and parked Pilatus PC-12 aircraft.
- When
- The article does not specify the date or time; the driver was taken into custody shortly after the crash.
- Where
- Portsmouth International Airport in New Hampshire, at PlaneSense’s headquarters.
- Why
- Police said the trooper attempted to stop the Mustang because it was believed to be connected to incidents reported by other law-enforcement jurisdictions; the driver allegedly fled.
- Driver
- 17-year-old from New Hampshire
- Vehicle
- Black 2008 Ford Mustang
- Airport
- Portsmouth International Airport, New Hampshire
- Aircraft
- Pilatus PC-12 operated by PlaneSense
- Reported damage
- The Mustang suffered severe front-end damage; the aircraft’s left wing and landing gear were damaged.
- Charges
- Aggravated driving while intoxicated, driving while intoxicated, disobeying a police officer, conduct after an accident, and violation-level reckless driving
- Operational impact
- PlaneSense said its flight operations were not affected, and airport officials said the airfield remained open.