Midair Collision Near Fort Morgan, Colorado (N61657)

Incident Overview and Injuries On August 31, 2025, at approximately 1040 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172M, registration N61657, and an Extra Flugzeugproduktions-UND EA 300/LC, registration N330AN, collided midair near Fort Morgan, Colorado. Both aircraft were destroyed in the accident. The pilot and safety pilot of the Cessna sustained minor injuries. The pilot of the Extra 300 was seriously injured, while the safety pilot of the Extra 300 was fatally injured. Both aircraft were operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flights. ## Pilot Accounts The Cessna pilot reported conducting instrument flight training with a safety pilot. They were executing an RNAV GPS approach to runway 14 at Fort Morgan Municipal Airport (FMM) in visual flight rules (VFR) conditions. The pilot had made multiple radio calls on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) to notify airport traffic of his arrival and was aware of aerobatic flights at the airport. He recalled hearing two airplanes in the traffic pattern and understood that one may have landed. The pilot continued the instrument approach to the decision altitude of 4,845 feet mean sea level, or about 250 feet 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. The Extra 300 pilot stated he was competing in an aerobatic competition over the airport and had 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. ## Witness Observation and Wreckage A competition judge, located about 1 mile south of the approach end of runway 14, observed 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 feet agl, while the Extra 300 was about 15-20 feet 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 feet northwest. The left wing of the Cessna separated from the airplane at the root and was located about 100 feet 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 the rescue effort. The airplanes were recovered to a secure facility for further examinations.