Beech 1900Ds Destroyed in Hangar Fire

A fire last month destroyed a hangar and the two Beech 1900D twin-turboprops inside at Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island, Neb. The hangar was leased by Cheyenne, Wyo.-based commuter airline Great Lakes Aviation. Construction of a new bifold hangar door was under way when the fire started. A preliminary report released by local fire officials blamed sparks from a cutting torch used earlier in the day during installation of the door. Officials speculate that sparks got into voids near the hangar roof and were fanned by the wind.