CESSNA 172M near Fort Morgan, CO — 2025-08-31

Probable cause

NTSB has not published a probable cause for this accident yet. Preliminary reports describe what happened; the cause is determined later, often 12–24 months after the event.

NTSB narrative

On August 31, 2025, about 1040 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N61657, and an Extra Flugzeugproduktions-UND EA 300/LC, N330AN, were both destroyed when they collided midair near Fort Morgan, Colorado. The pilot and safety pilot of the Cessna received minor injuries. The pilot of the Extra 300 was seriously injured, and the safety pilot of the Extra 300 was fatally injured. Both airplanes were operated as Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flights. According to the pilot of the Cessna, he was conducting instrument flight training with the assistance of a safety pilot. They were performing the RNAV GPS approach to runway 14 at Fort Morgan Municipal Airport (FMM) Fort Morgan, Colorado, while in visual flight rules (VFR) conditions. The pilot had made multiple radio calls on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) to notify the FMM traffic of his arrival and was aware of aerobatic flights occurring at the airport. He recalled hearing two airplanes in the traffic pattern and understood that one may have landed. The pilot then continued the instrument approach to the decision altitude of 4,845 ft mean sea level, or about 250 ft above ground level (agl), then removed his view limiting device. He identified the runway and continued the approach visually. The pilot estimated that they were over the threshold when he heard a bang and felt a forward and downward acceleration. After the impact the two pilots immediately exited the airplane. According to the pilot of the Extra 300, he was competing in an aerobatic competition over the airport and completed his sequence. He exited the box and maneuvered to enter the traffic pattern at the traffic pattern altitude. He made multiple radio calls stating his intention to land on runway 14. He heard a previous competitor on the CTAF who would be landing before him, but no one else. While on the downwind leg, he entered a continuous left descending turn to the runway. He was on final approach and about ready to begin the flare when the Cessna appeared underneath the nose of the Extra 300. The impact happened quickly afterwards and there was no time for maneuvering or go around. According to a competition judge, located about 1 mile south of the approach end of runway 14, he was observing the Extra 300 and saw both airplanes nearing the runway. He noticed that the Cessna was in front and below the Extra 300 and estimated that the Cessna was at a low altitude of about 10-15 ft agl, while the Extra 300 was about 15-20 ft agl. He saw the two airplanes collide and fall onto the runway. He immediately notified the chief judge who then called 911. Both airplanes came to rest inverted, alongside each other, and off the right side of runway 14. A line of debris, from both airplanes, extended from the wreckage about 500 ft northwest. The left wing of the Cessna separated from the airplane at the root and was located about 100 ft north of the main wreckage. Both the left horizontal stabilizer and left elevator separated from the empennage. The left elevator exhibited multiple spanwise cuts, consistent with impacts from a sharp object. The wood and composite material propeller of the Extra 300 fractured into multiple pieces and was scattered throughout the debris field. The pilots of the Cessna exited their airplane and saw the pilot of the Extra 300 was out of his airplane and calling for assistance. According to the pilot of the Extra 300, he attempted to extricate the safety pilot until help arrived. Heat from a postaccident fire precluded rescue the effort. The airplanes were recovered to a secure facility for further examinations.

Preliminary NTSB coding

• Midair collision · Approach-VFR pattern final

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