A tragic scene unfolded on Sunday morning at Fort Morgan Municipal Airport in Colorado when two small planes collided in midair as they attempted to land. The crash happened around 10:40 a.m. and involved a Cessna 172 and an Extra EA-300, each carrying two people.
The Cessna’s two occupants escaped with minor injuries and were treated at the scene, but the outcome was much worse for the passengers of the Extra EA-300. One person was killed instantly, while the other was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Witnesses reported seeing one aircraft burst into flames after the collision, sending black smoke into the air that could be seen from miles away.
Bystanders and airport staff rushed to help, pulling survivors to safety before emergency crews arrived. Firefighters battled the blaze that consumed much of one of the planes, while the other lay wrecked on the tarmac. FAA webcams captured images of the smoke rising above the airport during the chaos.
Authorities have confirmed that the crash was unrelated to the aerobatics competition hosted by MSU Denver, which was taking place at the airport on the same day. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have both launched investigations to determine the cause of the collision.
The accident is a grim reminder of the risks of general aviation and the importance of strict coordination in busy airspace. For the Fort Morgan community and the families affected, the day will be remembered not for celebration but for sudden loss and tragedy.