A tragic event unfolded near Fort Morgan Municipal Airport in Colorado on Sunday morning as two small planes collided mid-air, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries. The incident occurred around 10:40 a.m., involving a Cessna 172 and an Extra Flugzeugbau EA300. According to the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, the Cessna was on its final approach to the airport when it was struck by the other aircraft. Undersheriff Jon Horton expressed the gravity of the situation, saying, “Very sad.”
Two people were aboard each aircraft. The collision claimed the life of the passenger in the Extra EA300, while the pilot of that plane was hospitalized. The occupants of the Cessna sustained minor injuries, which were treated on the scene. Photographs from the scene revealed extensive damage to the Cessna, underscoring the severity of the incident.
Following the crash, smoke was visible, although the airport’s FAA tower webcam did not capture the moment of impact. An aviation expert, Greg Feith, provided insight into the dynamics of the accident. “Fort Morgan is what is considered an uncontrolled airport. There is no control tower there. And so it’s incumbent upon pilots who are flying in and out of that airport to report their position over a common frequency,” he noted. This factor will play a crucial role in the investigation being conducted by both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board.
Feith pointed out that various issues need consideration in determining the cause of the crash. These may include flying visibility and potential mechanical problems. “Investigators have quite a bit of work to do other than just looking at the wreckage to determine how the two aircraft collided,” he said. Meanwhile, the airport remains closed as investigators secure the area.
The aftermath of such a collision often brings to light the complexities and risks involved in aviation, especially at uncontrolled airports, where communication between pilots is vital. The loss of life and the injuries sustained in this incident highlight the need for rigorous safety measures in aviation. With no control tower present, the responsibility of communication rests heavily on the pilots, making thorough investigations crucial to prevent future accidents.
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