An experienced female pilot was killed instantly after her plane crashed into a potato processing plant with a large chimney next to a rural airport in Idaho.
Brittney Infanger, 30, was flying UPS packages from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Burley, Idaho, when the tragedy took place last week.
Around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 90 minutes into her flight, Brittney’s single-engine 208B plane crashed into the Gem State Processing Plant in Heyburn, Idaho.
Brittney, described as a ‘well-respected pilot beyond her years,’ had more than 11 years of flying experience around Utah and Idaho.
Her distraught father, Jim Bob Infanger, has said Brittney knew the area well and flew to Burley International Airport all the time. He blamed a hazardous chimney on the Gem State Processing Plant for the deadly crash – and called for authorities to close the nearby landing strip.
‘There’s a 60-foot chimney sticking out of the of the food processing plant – no lights on it, dead center – straight across the runway. So whenever you come in, you have to fly over the top of this and drop down,’ Jim Bob told local news outlet EastIdahonews.com.
‘The airport needs to be closed, period,’ Jim Bob said in the aftermath of the accident. ‘I’m a pilot myself and…many pilots have told me how unsafe the Burley Airport is and how they’ve begged the county to relocate it.’
‘They’ve allowed this potato plant to continue to expand and this chimney comes on and has a huge amount of steam. If the wind is blowing…you fly right into this wall of steam.’
The Burley Airport is on the bank of the Snake River. On the other side of the river is the Gem State Processing Plant. Jim Bob has said Brittney might have hit a bird in her way down when approaching the airport.
Brittney Infanger, 30, was flying UPS packages from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Burley, Idaho, when she crashed her single-engine 208B plane into the Gem State Processing Plant in Heyburn, Idaho
Brittney, described as a ‘well-respected pilot beyond her years,’ had more than 11 years of flying experience around Utah and Idaho
Her distraught father, Jim Bob Infanger (right), has said Brittney knew the area well and flew to Burley International Airport all the time. He blamed a hazardous chimney on the Gem State Processing Plant for the deadly crash
Brittney’s parents, Jim Bob (right) and Sharon Infanger (left) are now railing to get Burley International Airport closed
On April 13, Brittney took off from Salt Lake City International Airport around 7 a.m. before crashing into the Gem State Processing Plant in Heyburn
Heyburn Police and Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office said Brittney was flying too low while attempting to land.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched an investigation into the crash.
DailyMail.com has reached out for comment.
‘We’re just sad and horrified and heartbroken,’ Jim Bob told FOX.
Brittney’s parents have accused Cassia County officials of keeping the Burley Airport in operation despite reports of difficult landings from pilots.
Brittney worked for a company contracted by UPS. The experienced and highly regarded aviator was one of the main pilots chosen to fly the UPS routes.
On April 13, she took off from Salt Lake City International Airport around 7 a.m. before crashing into the Gem State Processing Plant in Heyburn.
First responders found Brittney’s single-engine 208B plane upside down. She was the only victim and the structure of the plant suffered little damage, authorities said.
Brittney’s parents told FOX she was a model daughter and pilot and had achieved so much in life.
Jim Bob (left) and his wife, Sharon Infanger (right), are now demanding Cassia County authorities close Burley International Airport, citing how dangerous landing is, even for experienced pilots
Heyburn Police and Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office said Brittney was flying too low while attempting to land. The Burley Airport is on the bank of the Snake River. On the other side of the river is the Gem State Processing Plant
Brittney, the fifth of seven children, was an honor student and athlete in high school and college and at 30 had more than 11 years of flying experience
Brittney had followed in the footsteps of her pilot father and took her first solo flight when she was just 19. I’m just reflecting on the amazing life she had,’ her mother said. ‘She just lived her dream. She loved to fly. She was very adventurous.’
The fifth of seven children was an honor student and athlete in high school and college and at 30 had more than 11 years of flying experience.
She had followed in the footsteps of her pilot father and took her first solo flight when she was just 19. Brittney went to college in Arizona and started teaching aspiring pilots before moving to Idaho during the pandemic to continue teaching.
She had settled in Salmon, where her parents also reside.
‘It’s devastating that she’s gone … I’m just reflecting on the amazing life she had,’ her mother told FOX.
‘She just lived her dream. She loved to fly. She was very adventurous.’
Her parents are now railing to get Burley International Airport closed.
‘On a typical flight in, you have to go over the top of these obstructions and then quickly drop down to get on the runway that’s right at the edge of the river,’ Jim Bob told FOX. ‘So it’s a very, very technical airport to come into.’
‘Our mission is to get the Burley Airport closed,’ he added. ‘We don’t think it’s safe for pilots going in and out.’
Meanwhile, Brittney was remembered fondly by her sister, Erica Dawn Hill.
‘Brittney was a light. She had a knack for making everyone she met feel important and loved. She was spontaneous, adventurous and driven,’ Erica wrote on Instagram.
‘She always loved flying, and now she has her wings.’
Brittney’s funeral will be held on April 23.