During the construction process on January 31, around 5:00 pm, an aircraft hangar in Idaho collapsed at Boise Airport’s airfield, near W. Rickenbacker St. and Luke St. Three people lost their lives, while nine others sustained injuries. Among the injured, five were transported to nearby hospitals, with their conditions currently listed as critical.
The structure in question was a privately owned hangar under construction near the airstrip at Boise Airport. Per Boise municipal permitting records, Big D Builders, the contractor, obtained the necessary permits for constructing the jet hangar. An official clarified that while the facility sits on airport grounds, it is not directly affiliated with Boise Airport’s projects.
Boise Fire, Gowen Field Fire, and Ada County Paramedics were among the teams that answered the emergency call. Upon arrival, ambulance crews faced a disordered scene and promptly commenced securing and rescuing people.
The response included a heavy rescue unit, twelve ambulances, two safety officers, three ladder trucks, eight fire engines, two battalion chiefs, and one division chief. Given the extent of the collapse, the initial fire departments had to swiftly stabilize the area.
Specialized rescue efforts were required as some of the individuals were on raised platforms when the building collapsed. Additionally, a crane fell during the incident. Some of the injured individuals needed to be lifted out for rescue operations.
A witness named Cody McGowan, who was approximately 100 yards away from the location, described the initial sound of the collapse as resembling a dog’s howling.
Boise firefighters confirmed that the collapse area was secure and posed no threat to the public, but Wright Street would remain closed overnight. While the airport operations were unaffected, Idaho State Police reported traffic issues on Interstate 84 due to the incident. However, Boise Airport and other city-owned facilities continued their operations without disruption.
