Collision in the Clouds: Tragedy Strikes Fort Morgan’s Skies
A quiet Sunday morning in Colorado turned tragic when two small aircraft collided midair near Fort Morgan Municipal Airport, leaving one person dead and three others injured. The crash occurred around 10:40 a.m. local time as both planes, identified as a Cessna 172 and an Extra Flugzeugbau EA300, were making their final approach to land.
Each
aircraft carried two occupants. The Cessna’s passengers sustained minor
injuries and were treated at the scene, while one person aboard the EA300 was
rushed to a nearby hospital. The other was pronounced dead at the site by the
Morgan County Coroner’s Office. Witnesses described a harrowing scene as both
planes plummeted to the ground and erupted in flames, sending thick smoke
billowing into the sky.
Fort
Morgan Municipal Airport is classified as an uncontrolled airfield, meaning it
lacks a control tower. Pilots rely on a shared radio frequency to coordinate
landings and departures. Aviation expert Greg Feith noted that investigators
will be scrutinizing whether proper radio calls were made, as communication
breakdowns are often central to such collisions.
The
Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board
have launched a joint investigation, with the NTSB taking the lead. Charred
wreckage and debris scattered near the runway painted a grim picture of the
impact, while emergency responders and bystanders worked swiftly to extinguish
the flames and assist the injured.
As the
community mourns and officials search for answers, the incident serves as a
stark reminder of the delicate choreography required in aviation, and how
quickly it can unravel when the skies turn unforgiving.
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