According to authorities, the collision occurred as both aircraft were preparing to land. The smaller of the planes, a Cirrus SR22 single-engine, crashed immediately, but both pilot and passenger walked away unhurt because Cirrus planes have emergency parachutes. Cirrus includes a Cirrus Airframe Parachute System, or CAPS, a ballistic rocket-fired parachute, in every single-engine aircraft it makes. In this particular case, like in many others before, it saved the lives of those on board.
The other, bigger plane was a twin-engine Fairchild Metroliner, and it was able to land at Centennial Airport although it was missing a big chunk of its cabin. That, too, is a testament to the solid, high-quality build of the plane. The only person on board, the pilot, was not hurt either.
Denver7 says that the Cirrus plane is operated by a Colorado-based flight school, while the other is property of Key Lime Air, a cargo and passenger line also from Colorado, with a less-than-stellar track record. In recent years, it’s been featured in the news multiple times for crashes.
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the causes of the latest accident.
NTSB is investigating the May 12, 2021, mid-air collision involving a Metroliner & a Cirrus near Denver, Colorado. No injuries reported in connection with the collision. Initial report indicates collision happened as airplanes were landing. The NTSB will travel to the scene.
— NTSB_Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) May 12, 2021
UPDATE: Initial reports indicate that 2 planes collided midair over Cherry Creek State Park property just south of Belleview and Peoria. One plane crashed here with no injuries or fatalities. The second plane landed safely at Centennial Airport with no injuries. Updates to follow pic.twitter.com/ksKhbZo9Fk
— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) May 12, 2021