Trending

‘This was amazing’: Nobody hurt when two small planes collide in Colorado

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. — Nobody was hurt when two small airplanes collided in Colorado on Wednesday, authorities said.

>> Read more trending news

Three people were aboard the two aircraft, which collided in midair over Cherry Creek State Park in suburban Denver, KDVR reported.

John Bartmann, a spokesperson for the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office said it is miraculous that there were no injuries or fatalities.

“You expect a lot worse,“ Bartmann told reporters. “This was amazing.

“We’ve had several plane crashes in our jurisdiction. Never have we seen a parachute deploy and bring the plane down safely.”

Initial reports indicated that a Cirrus SR-22 with two people on board and a Swearingen Metroliner SA226TC with one occupant collided in midair about 4 miles north of Centennial Airport at around 10:25 a.m. MDT, according to Allen Kenitzer, a spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the collision happened while both planes were in the process of landing, KUSA reported.

June Cvelbar told the television station in an email that she happened to be walking at the park when the planes collided.

“I saw two planes in the sky. I saw a larger green plane, which I thought was a tow plane, along with what I thought was a glider being towed by it,” Cvelbar told KUSA. “I heard a noise but didn’t realize that the two planes had collided.

“When I realized that the small plane was going down I ran toward it. The pilot and his passenger were up and about.”

Bartmann said the metroliner jet landed at Centennial Airport, KMGH reported.

Key Lime Air said in a statement that it operates the metroliner. The company said its plane was “struck by another aircraft.”

The company said the plane sustained substantial damage, but the pilot was able to land the aircraft safely, KMGH reported.

“We are participating in an active investigation of the incident with the FAA and NTSB. As information comes to light, if authorities deem it appropriate to share with the public, we will do so,” Key Lime Air said in a statement. “We cannot express the gratitude we have, company-wide that no one was injured. We thank all those who have reached out with concern for our company and its people.”

The Cirrus SR-22, registered to BB CO LLC out of Parker, used a parachute and crashed in a field in Cherry Creek State Park, KMGH reported. Bartmann told reporters the plane was “significantly damaged.”