Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Sep 1: A tragic midair collision at Fort Morgan Municipal Airport in Colorado on Sunday left one person dead and three others injured. The accident occurred when two small planes—a Cessna 172 and an Extra EA-300, each carrying two passengers—attempted to land simultaneously and collided in midair, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed.
According to the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, a passenger aboard the Extra EA-300 died instantly at the scene, while another passenger from the same plane was rushed to a nearby hospital; their condition remains unclear. Passengers on the Cessna 172 suffered only minor injuries and were treated at the site.
One of the aircraft caught fire following the crash, with eyewitnesses rushing in to help extinguish the flames before emergency responders arrived. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched an investigation into the cause of the collision. Reports from the 'New York Post' and 9News described the wreckage as devastating, with one plane reduced to charred debris and the other barely recognizable, save for a wing, tail, and a single tire.
The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office expressed deep condolences to the victim’s family and gratitude towards the citizens who assisted at the scene.
This tragic event echoes a recent incident in Montana in August, when a small single-engine plane carrying four people crashed into parked aircraft while attempting to land at Kalispell City Airport. Though that crash sparked a massive fire and caused extensive damage to multiple planes on the ground, fortunately, there were no serious injuries. Preliminary investigations suggested the pilot lost control during landing, causing the aircraft to skid and collide with parked planes before catching fire.
Despite the intensity of the blaze, all four aboard escaped unaided, with two passengers receiving minor treatment at the scene. Firefighters swiftly contained the fire, preventing further damage.
Together, these incidents underscore ongoing challenges and safety concerns in small aircraft operations during landing phases, prompting increased attention from aviation authorities.