Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo
COMMUNITY News:
Local teen, Owen Denning, has been making waves with his recent achievements, demonstrating both a passion for service and a love for aviation. From completing his Eagle Scout project to assisting the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in an airplane investigation late last year, Owen’s commitment to excellence is inspiring the community he joined nearly three years ago.
Saturday, April 26, Owen achieved a major milestone in his scouting journey by leading his Eagle Scout project at Barranca Mesa Elementary School. His project involved the planning and installation of a permanent volleyball net to encourage students to stay active and socialize.
Working closely with the school’s PTO President, Megan Parton, Principal Kristen Martines and LASD Facilities team, Robert Hollman & Tommy Castillo, Owen developed a plan to meet the school’s needs and ensure the project’s safety and success. His leadership included organizing volunteers, managing logistics, and communicating with school officials to bring the project to life. This effort exemplifies Owen’s ability to inspire teamwork, solve problems, and create a lasting impact.
In addition to his community service, Owen’s aviation enthusiasm recently intersected with real-world impact when he helped the NTSB investigate an airplane incident. While plane spotting with his family at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Owen witnessed a dramatic event involving Frontier Flight 1326. After two loud bangs signaled a tire blowout upon landing, Owen quickly documented the event with a series of photos.
These images, which captured the incident from a critical angle, became essential to the NTSB’s investigation. In an email to the family, an NTSB investigator described the photos as “extraordinarily helpful” and thanked Owen for providing the only available views from that side of the aircraft. The investigator indicated that Owen’s photos would be included in the preliminary report, with an offer to credit him publicly for his contribution.
This experience has fueled Owen’s excitement for aviation, giving him a glimpse into the importance of observation and investigation in the field. Owen’s passion for aviation continues to grow. Last fall, he transferred to a specialized aviation program to further his education and take meaningful steps toward his dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot. He is focused on building the knowledge and skills needed to earn his private pilot’s license within the next year.
His commitment to flying professionally stems from a lifelong fascination with planes and a deep-rooted family connection to the aviation industry. “I’ve always been drawn to aviation, and now I’m working hard to turn that dream into a reality,” Owen shared. Owen recent accomplishments reflect his dedication to both service and personal growth. From creating opportunities for students through his Eagle Scout project to contributing to federal investigations and pursuing a career in aviation, Owen is setting an impressive example for his peers.
With his feet on the ground and his eyes on the skies, Owen is poised for a future filled with purpose, leadership, and adventure. The Los Alamos community proudly supports him on his journey to success.