This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N61657
Bell Ornithopters Flying Club Inc
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N330AN
333AN LLC
- Hitstory of Flight:
On August 31, 2025, at about 1040 local time, a Cessna 172 Skyhawk, N61657, and an Extra EA-300/LC, N330AN, were destroyed when they were involved in a mid-air collision at Fort Morgan Municipal Airport (FMM/KFMM), Fort Morgan, Colorado. One of the occupants onboard the Extra sustained fatal injuries. The second occupant and two occupants of the Cessna survived with reported minor injuries. The Cessna was registered to Bell Ornithopters Flying Club Inc out of Eastlake, Colorado, and the Extra was registered 333AN LLC out of Castle Rock, Colorado. Both airplanes were being operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as local personal flights. The Cessna departed Broomfield-Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC/KBJC), Broomfield, Colorado, and was destined to KFMM. The Extra was being operated on a local flight out of KFMM. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
According to preliminary automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, at 0943 LT, the Cessna departed runway 30R and entered a climbing right turn to an inflight cruising altitude of 7,600 ft. At 1028:26, the airplane reached waypoint DEKTE and turned right (flying the RNAV (GPS) runway 14 approach). At 1033:47, the airplane reached waypoint ECUDI and turned right and was on course with runway 14. At 1039:26, the airplane was 2 miles short of runway 14, descending through 4800 ft, 98 knots groundspeed, with an average rate of -250 feet per minute (fpm). The last ADS-B return was recorded at 1040:06, the airplane was at 4500 ft, 100 knots groundspeed, and -1344 fpm.
According to preliminary (ADS-B) data from the Extra, at 1030:06, it departed runway 36 at KFMM and proceeded to fly around the airport. At about 1039:41, the airplane joined the left pattern for runway 14. At 1040:05, the airplane was at 4975 ft, 111 knots groundspeed, when it began a base-to-final (left) turn. The last ADS-B return was recorded at 1040:19 about 0.42 miles from the runway. The airplane was at 4700 ft, 101 knots grounspeed, and descending 1400 fpm. (see figure 1)
The Sheriff's Office reported that the Cessna was on final approach to the airport when it was struck mid-air by the Extra.
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
The first identified point of impact was the Cessna's left wing which came to rest on the right side of the runway 14 threshold markings. There was a burnt ground scar leading to the main wreckage was measured about 175 ft. The main wreckage consisted of both airplanes, which came to rest to on the grass in the right side of the runway. Both airplanes were consumed by the post crash fire. The Extra came to rest infront of the Cessna on an approximately 200° heading. The entire airframe, including both wings and tail were consumed by the fire. The Cessna came to rest on its left side and on a approximately 330° heading. The fuselage (including cockpit/passenger cabin) were consumed by the post crash fire. The tail came to rest on its left and sustained impact and thermal damage. The right wing came to rest inverted to the left side of the fuselage and sustained impact damage, but appeared free of thermal damage.
The state of both aircraft suggests (this part is speculation) the Extra struck the left side of the Cessna and both aircraft became entangled together. The Cessna lost control and impacted the runway in a left wing low altitude, afterwards, both aircraft rotated about 180° before coming to rest and getting consumed by the post crash fire. (figure 3)
- Pilot Information:
unknown.
- Aircraft Information:
- Cessna:
The first aircraft, serial number 17264706, was manufactured in 1975. It was a four-seat, high-wing aircraft powered by a single 160 HP Lycoming O-320-E2G engine. According to the operator's website, some equipment onboard:
Garmin G5 ADI (Attitude Display Indicator)
Garmin G5 HSI (Horizontal Situation Indicator)
Garmin GFC 500 2-Axis (Pitch & Roll) Autopilot
Garmin GAD29B GPS/Navigation Data Interface
Garmin GSB15 dual A/C USB ports two each
Garmin GTN 650 GPS/Nav/Comm System
Garmin GTX 345 Digital Transponder w/WAAS
Bendix/King KX-155 NAV/COM
PMA 6000B Audio Selector Panel w/intercom and marker beacon receiver
Digital Volt Meter
Emergency locator transmitter (ELT)
Analog exhaust gas temperature (EGT) gage
Engine pre-heater
LED taxi & landing light
Dual wing tip strobe lights
Located at hanger 168, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, (BJC) Broomfield
- Extra:
The second aircraft, serial number LC051, was manufactured in 2015. It was a two-seat, low-wing aerobatic monoplane powered by a Lycoming AEIO-580-B1A engine.
- Airport Information:
Fort Morgan Municipal Airport is a non-towered public airport located about 5 miles north of Fort Morgan, Colorado. The airport field elevation was 4595.3 ft. The airport was served by a single asphalt runway, runway 14/32 (5731 x 75 ft.) and two turf runways, runway 17/35 (5216 x 80 ft) and runway 8/26 (2468 x 100 ft).
A review of the Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs) system for the airport revealed there were no relevant NOTAMs to the operation of the IAC contest at the airport.
- Weather:
(1) Brief:
The reported weather at KFMM, at 1035 (about 5 minutes before the accident) included: variable winds at 5 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, no clouds under 12,000 ft (CLR), a temperature of 21° C, a dew point of 12° C, and a barometric altimeter setting of 30.31 inches of mercury. The calculated density altitude was 5999 ft.
The reported weather at KFMM, at 1055 (about 15 minutes after the accident) included: winds 000 at 0 knots gusting 10 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, no clouds under 12,000 ft (CLR), a temperature of 22° C, a dew point of 11° C, and a barometric altimeter setting of 30.31 inches of mercury.
(2) METARs:
METAR KFMM 311635Z AUTO VRB05KT 10SM CLR 21/12 A3031 RMK AO2
METAR KFMM 311655Z AUTO 00000G10KT 10SM CLR 22/11 A3031 RMK AO2
(3) Sun and Moon Data:
The sun’s position at the time of the accident was about 46° above the horizon on an azimuth of 127° SE.
- Additional Information:
no
No comments:
Post a Comment