FORT MORGAN, Colo. — A tragic midair collision involving two small planes near the Fort Morgan Municipal Airport has resulted in one fatality and three injuries, according to authorities. The incident occurred on Sunday morning when a Cessna 172 and an Extra Flugzeugbau EA300 collided as both pilots were attempting to land. The crash has prompted a comprehensive federal investigation into the cause of the accident.
Details of the Collision and Emergency Response
The collision took place in the airspace surrounding the small Fort Morgan Municipal Airport in northeastern Colorado. According to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration, both aircraft were in the process of approaching the runway when the accident occurred. There were two occupants aboard each plane. First responders, who were quickly dispatched to the scene, reported a grim scene upon arrival. Dispatch audio, recorded on the website Broadcastify, captured the initial reports.
“We’re seeing black smoke and active flames,” an emergency responder can be heard saying in the recording. “At least one person is trapped in one of the planes.”
Footage from CNN affiliate KMGH showed a harrowing scene on the ground, with one of the wrecked planes resting on the side of a runway, surrounded by scorched earth and black fluid. The immediate emergency response was critical in attending to the injured and securing the crash site for the subsequent investigation. The incident highlights the inherent risks of shared airspace, particularly around smaller, uncontrolled airfields where pilots are responsible for visually coordinating their own approaches and departures.
Survivors and Casualties
The outcomes for the four people aboard the two aircraft were tragically disparate. The two occupants of the Cessna 172 survived the collision with minor injuries, according to a post from the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office. Unfortunately, one occupant of the Extra Flugzeugbau EA300 was pronounced dead at the scene, and the second person from that plane was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The identities of those involved have not been released by authorities pending notification of family members. The incident has cast a shadow of mourning and concern over the local aviation community.
Federal Authorities Launch Investigation
The investigation into the collision has been handed over to two key federal agencies: the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The FAA, which is responsible for regulating civil aviation and maintaining air traffic control systems, will lead the initial on-site investigation. The FAA’s role involves gathering factual information, documenting the wreckage, and interviewing witnesses and survivors. The NTSB, an independent government agency dedicated to determining the probable cause of transportation accidents, will take the lead in the broader investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board will analyze all available data, including wreckage debris, flight paths, and pilot communications, to issue a final report detailing the cause of the crash and any safety recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Federal Aviation Administration will also conduct its own parallel investigation to review all safety aspects related to the incident. Investigations of this nature can often take months or even a year to complete, as investigators meticulously reconstruct the events leading up to the crash. The findings will provide crucial insights for the aviation community and safety regulators.
