Tragic Plane Crash Near Fort Morgan Airport Claims One Life, Injures Three
A midair collision between two small planes near Fort Morgan Municipal Airport in Colorado turned a routine Sunday morning into a tragedy. The crash, which occurred on August 31, 2025, killed one person and left three others injured, shaking the tight-knit community.
The Collision: What Happened
At approximately 10:40 a.m., a Cessna 172 and an Extra Flugzeugbau EA300 collided while both pilots were attempting to land at Fort Morgan Municipal Airport, about 80 miles northeast of Denver. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the Cessna was on its final approach when it was struck by the Extra EA300, causing both aircraft to plummet into fields just outside the airport. One plane burst into flames, while the other sustained heavy damage, with black smoke plumes captured by the airport’s FAA tower webcam.
Each plane carried two people. The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that one occupant of the Extra EA300 was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second was hospitalized with unspecified injuries. The two occupants of the Cessna sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Emergency responders, including the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Morgan Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, Fort Morgan Fire Department, and Morgan County Ambulance, rushed to the scene after a 10:44 a.m. report. Dispatch audio recorded on Broadcastify noted “active flames” and at least one person trapped in the wreckage. Bystanders attempted to douse the flames before firefighters arrived, earning praise from Sheriff’s Office officials.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with support from the FAA. The airport, which lacks a control tower, operates as an uncontrolled facility, relying on pilots to communicate their positions over a common frequency. Aviation expert Greg Feith emphasized that investigators will examine whether radio calls were made and explore factors like visibility or mechanical issues.
Community and Context
The crash occurred during an aerobatic fly-in and contest hosted at Fort Morgan Municipal Airport, though MSU Denver clarified that the incident was unrelated to its collegiate aerobatics team’s event, and those involved were not current students. The university extended condolences to the victims’ families.
Fort Morgan, a small agricultural community, is reeling from the loss. The airport remains closed as authorities secure the site and investigate. Witnesses or those with relevant footage are urged to contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov.
Impact on U.S. Communities and Aviation Safety
This tragedy underscores ongoing concerns about aviation safety at smaller, uncontrolled airports, a critical issue for rural U.S. communities reliant on general aviation. With 2025 seeing other high-profile incidents, including a fatal midair collision near Washington, D.C. in January, public attention is turning to air traffic control systems and pilot protocols.
For Americans, such incidents highlight the risks of private aviation, which supports local economies through activities like aerial firefighting and agricultural aviation. The crash may prompt renewed calls for enhanced safety measures, potentially influencing federal aviation policies under the Trump administration’s Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Looking Forward: A Community in Mourning
The Fort Morgan community mourns the loss of life as investigations continue to determine the cause of this preventable tragedy. The NTSB’s findings could shape future safety protocols at uncontrolled airports nationwide. For now, the focus remains on supporting the victims’ families and ensuring the injured recover.