On June 17, 2024, a small plane crashed into the West Acres Mobile Home Park in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, killing two people onboard and setting two trailers on fire. The twin-engine Cessna 421 was en route from Longmont, Colorado to Ogden, Utah when it encountered engine trouble and was diverted to an airport in Steamboat Springs. It circled for 25 minutes near the airport before crashing at approximately 4:23 p.m.
Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue quickly responded to the scene, where ten firefighters and numerous off-duty personnel worked to extinguish the flames that had spread to nearby outbuildings. “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the deceased,” the Steamboat Springs Police wrote on Facebook. The victims, identified as Dan Dunn, 67, and Jessica Pauline Melton, 42, were the only occupants of the aircraft.
Eyewitnesses described the plane’s distressing descent. Julia Martin, a mobile home park resident, said, “I saw the plane gliding, and then the engine seemed to kick back on before it went down. It was terrifying.” Another witness, David Hayes, manager of Moe’s Original BBQ, mentioned that customers on the patio noticed the plane “sounded weird” and appeared to be “spiraling down” before impact.
The crash caused significant damage to the mobile home park, which is only two miles from the airport, but fortunately, no residents were injured. However, the destruction left many in shock. “The people who lived in the two homes destroyed by the fire were at work when it happened,” a West Acres resident shared with local media. The Community Room at the Combined Law Enforcement Facility was opened to assist residents affected by the crash, with support from the Red Cross and Routt County Crisis Support.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Initial reports from witnesses suggest the plane experienced an engine problem. The NTSB noted that a final report could take up to two years as they thoroughly investigate the pilot, the plane, and the operating environment.
The Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue reported that the flames were brought under control shortly after 5 p.m., but the damage was extensive. Debris and ash littered the area, and the smell of smoke lingered in the air. “It was an inferno,” reported Steamboat Springs Radio, describing the intense heat and flames that engulfed the trailers.
This incident marks the third small plane crash in Colorado within a month. Earlier in June, a crash near Larkspur and another in Arvada resulted in fatalities. The frequency of these crashes has raised concerns about aviation safety in the region.
The West Acres Mobile Home Park, home to approximately 100 residences, remains closed as authorities continue their investigation. Residents have expressed a mix of grief and gratitude. “It’s heartbreaking to see the devastation, but we are thankful that no one on the ground was hurt,” a resident commented.
