FORT MORGAN, Colo. (AP) — A tragic midair collision occurred on Sunday morning, resulting in one fatality and three injuries involving two small aircraft near Fort Morgan Municipal Airport in northeastern Colorado. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a Cessna 172 and an Extra Flugzeugbau EA300 were both attempting to land when they collided.
Both planes had two individuals on board at the time of the incident. The aftermath of the collision led to both aircraft crashing and subsequently catching fire, as reported by the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office. Emergency responders were deployed to the scene to assist those involved in the dramatic incident.
The occupants of the Cessna 172 managed to escape with minor injuries. In contrast, the situation was far more serious for the Extra EA300. One occupant was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, while tragically, the other was pronounced dead at the crash site.
In light of the seriousness of the incident, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA are conducting thorough investigations to determine the cause of the collision. This investigation will likely involve examining the flight paths, communications between the pilots, and any potential contributing factors that may have led to the accident.
Fort Morgan, located approximately 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of Denver, is a small city known for its tight-knit community of around 12,000 residents. As details surrounding the midair collision emerge, the local community remains in shock over the tragic event. Reports indicate that both aircraft had been preparing for landing shortly before the collision occurred, underlining the importance of safety measures in aviation.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers associated with small aircraft operations, particularly in busy airspace around airports. The aviation community and regulatory bodies will be watching closely to see what conclusions are drawn from the ongoing investigations to help prevent such accidents in the future.
