One person was killed and three others injured Sunday morning when two small planes collided midair near Fort Morgan Municipal Airport in Colorado.
The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office said the crash was reported around 10:45 a.m. A preliminary investigation found that a Cessna aircraft was on final approach to the runway when it was struck midair by an Extra Flugzeugbau EA300.
Witnesses reported seeing the two planes clip wings before both plummeted into nearby fields, where they burst into flames. Thick plumes of smoke rose from the wreckage as first responders and bystanders rushed to put out the fires.
Casualties and Injuries
Each plane carried two people. The sheriff’s office said the Cessna’s occupants suffered only minor injuries and were released at the scene.
Of the two aboard the EA300, one person was pronounced dead at the scene and the other was taken to a hospital with injuries.
FAA and NTSB Investigating
In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the collision occurred as the planes were attempting to land. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation.