One person was killed and three other passengers were injured after two small planes collided midair while trying to land at a Colorado airport Sunday morning.
The two planes — a Cessna 172 and an Extra EA-300 holding two people each — crashed into one another while both pilots were trying to land on the runway at the Fort Morgan Municipal Airport at the same time, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
One person in the Extra EA-300 died at the scene, the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office said.
The survivor aboard that plane was transported to a nearby hospital. Their exact condition is still unclear.
The people aboard the Cessna 172 were treated on the scene for minor injuries.
One plane burst into flames after the harrowing crash, the sheriff’s office said, but it didn’t specify which.
Both planes were left in shambles, with one aircraft melted down to nothing but dust and char while the other appeared to only have its tail, a wing, and a lone tire left atop the rubble, according to devestating aerial footage captured by 9News.
In the chaos, bystanders rushed to the flames to try and help as smoke billowed from the wreckage, according to the sheriff’s office, with some even jumping in to try and put out the inferno themselves.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim in this tragic event. Additionally, we want to thank the citizens who assisted in trying to extinguish the fire until the fire department and first responders arrived on the scene,” officials with the MCSO said.
A collegiate aerobatics team with Metropolitan State University of Denver was incidentally competing in a competition at the airport over the weekend, but school officials quickly assured that the fiery crash had no connection to the competition.
“MSU Denver offers sympathy and support for the families and the loved ones involved in this unfortunate accident,” the university wrote.
An investigation headed by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board is set to begin tomorrow.
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