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Press Release
Larimer County Sheriff

Larimer County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Wellington Fire responded to the Owl Canyon Gliderport near Larimer County Road 7 and Hackamore Road at approximately 9:47 a.m. today on the report of a downed aircraft.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered a fixed-wing aircraft crashed approximately 75 yards west of the runway.  The two occupants of the plane received only very minor injuries and refused treatment.  The plane was apparently attempting to land at the gliderport when the accident occurred.

The plane, piloted by a student and his instructor, touched down on the runway, veered off the runway and struck a nearby gazebo damaging the left wing of the plane as well as the fuselage.  The student and instructor were visiting the gliderport and were not members of the privately owned facility.  Access to the facility is restricted.

The Federal Aviation Agency and the National Transportation Safety Board have been notified and will investigate.

A correction to the press release on the non-injury plane crash.

Update from sheriff’s office:

Witnesses are reporting that the plane did NOT touch down on the runway before crashing.  The plane was attempting to land and hit the gazebo then crashed.

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Single engine Cessna damaged at Owl Canyon Gliderport. Photo by Larimer County Sheriff's Office

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This shelter was damaged when struck by the Cessna aircraft in the background. Photo by Larimer County Sheriff's Office