One Dead, Multiple Injured After Mid-Air Collision at Fort Morgan Municipal Airport
FORT MORGAN, Colo. — A tragic aviation accident in northern Colorado left one person dead and several others injured after two small planes collided mid-air on Sunday morning near Fort Morgan Municipal Airport.
The Incident
According to the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, emergency crews were dispatched to the airport at approximately 10:44 a.m. following reports of a plane crash.
Deputies said a small Cessna was on final approach to land when it collided with another small aircraft in mid-air. Both planes crashed near the airport grounds and caught fire, prompting a rapid response from firefighters, paramedics, and law enforcement.
Each plane was carrying two occupants at the time of the crash.
Casualties and Injuries
Tragically, one person was pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger suffered more serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Authorities confirmed that both occupants of the Cessna sustained only minor injuries and were treated at the scene by emergency medical personnel.
As of Sunday evening, officials had not yet released the identity of the deceased pending notification of family members.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the mid-air collision remains under investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to join local authorities in conducting a full review of the crash.
Investigators will be looking into multiple factors, including air traffic communications, weather conditions, flight paths, and mechanical issues. Both wreckages have been secured as evidence.
Sheriff’s deputies noted that while small plane crashes are relatively rare, mid-air collisions are especially uncommon and typically require months of detailed investigation.
Community Reaction
The crash shocked residents of Fort Morgan, a close-knit community where the municipal airport is often used for training flights, private travel, and recreational aviation. Witnesses in the area reported hearing the impact and then seeing plumes of smoke rising from the crash site.
“It was terrifying to see,” one nearby resident said. “You never expect something like this to happen so close to home.”
Looking Ahead
Authorities are urging patience as the investigation unfolds and are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward with information.
Meanwhile, aviation officials continue to stress the importance of flight safety and situational awareness, particularly around smaller regional airports where multiple aircraft may be arriving and departing at the same time.
The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office said updates will be released as more information becomes available and as federal investigators continue their work.