Training and competition flights collided in fatal August crash at northern Colorado airport
A training flight and a pilot engaged in an aerobatic competition crashed in August at northern Colorado s Fort Morgan Municipal Airport killing one pilot and injuring three others according to federal investigators The two planes a Cessna and an Extra Flugzeugbau EA each carrying a pilot and a safety pilot were trying to land on the same runway at the airport when they crashed and caught fire at about a m on Aug according to a preliminary review from the National Transportation Safety Board Federal investigators reported the Cessna pilot was conducting flight instrument training at the airport with a safety pilot aboard and he made multiple radio calls to alert the airport to his arrival He heard two other airplanes in the traffic pattern and that one had already landed as he continued to approach according to the description The Extra pilot was one of several competing at the airport that day investigators disclosed He also made several radio calls stating his plan to land on runway where the crash happened after completing his flight sequence According to the document the Extra pilot heard another competitor would be landing before him but didn t hear any other planes in the traffic pattern The Extra pilot recounted investigators that the Cessna appeared below him on final approach with no time to maneuver or avoid the collision The crashed planes came to a stop next to each other off the edge of the runway federal investigators mentioned A line of wreckage and debris extended roughly feet from the planes including separated wings and propellers Both people in the Cessna exited the plane with minor injuries according to NTSB The Extra pilot sustained serious injuries but was able to get out of his aircraft Federal officers reported a post-crash fire prevented him from saving the safety pilot still trapped inside The safety pilot -year-old Kristen Morris of Denver died from her injuries according to the International Aerobatic Club which was hosting the competition that day Related Articles Motorcyclist killed in Denver crash on edge of Green Valley Ranch Man killed in Aurora street racing crash with suspected drunken driver killed in wrong-way crash on northbound I- near th Avenue Automobile collisions with wildlife spike in Colorado after fall time change Scooter rider killed in Thornton crash with car police say Morris was a retired Air Force captain and an Air Force Wounded Warriors coach leading injured active-duty Air Force members and veterans in sporting events according to reporting from Denver She was doing something she loved and I will forever remember her as one of the the greater part kind and pure-hearted people I ve ever met Morris s friend Allison Smith narrated Denver Investigators announced both planes were destroyed in the crash and the remains were taken to an NTSB facility for further examination The crash remains under research Sign up to get crime news sent straight to your inbox each day
