- Location: Fort Morgan, CO
- Accident Number: WPR25FA268
- Date & Time: August 31, 2025, 10:40 Local
- Registration: N61657 (A1); N330AN (A2)
- Aircraft: Cessna 172M (A1); EXTRA FLUGZEUGPRODUKTIONS-UND EA 300/LC (A2)
- Injuries: 2 Minor (A1); 1 Fatal, 1 Serious (A2)
- Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal (A1); Part 91: General aviation - Personal (A2)
https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200906/pdf
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N61657
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N330AN
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 chief judge, the pilot of the Extra 300 was a competitor in an aerobatic competition and had completed his sequence. The chief judge cleared the pilot out of the competition box, and it was understood that the pilot would then switch the radio frequency from the competition box frequency to the CTAF and communicate his intention to enter the traffic pattern and land on a runway.
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. The three attempted to flip the Extra 300 over to rescue the safety pilot; however, the heat from a postaccident fire precluded the effort.
The airplanes were recovered to a secure facility for further examinations.
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