Palisade Mountain Plane Crash

Mitchell Ward Photo ©

On November 23rd, 2024 at 11:16 the Loveland Emergency Communications Center (200) dispatched Loveland Fire Rescue Authority and Thompson Valley EMS to a report of an aircraft crash in the area of Palisade Mountain west of Loveland. Crews arrived in the area and began to hike toward the peak of Palisade Mountain, staging was established at LFRA Station 9. Chief 42 assumed command and was joined at the command post by Battalion 41, Larimer County Emergency Services, Larimer County Deputies and the US Forest Service. A UC Health Lifeline medical helicopter arrived and was able to quickly locate the crash site on the east side of the peak in the Alexander Mountain Fire burn scar. They were unable to land due to the rugged terrain and trees. Lifeline was able to hover overhead and direct rescue personnel on the ground to the scene. A Larimer County Natural Resources Ranger arrived at the crash site first followed by the crew of Engine 474. A request was made by Larimer County Emergency Services to the National Guard for a rescue helicopter with hoist rescue capabilities, this request was approved and the crew mobilized. Rescuers at the crash site reported one patient along with two fatalities. Additional resources hiked into the scene to extricate and package the patient. Sawyers cleared trees to allow access for the rescue helicopter hoist operation. The Lifeline helicopter landed near Station 9, ready to receive and transport the patient. Once the National Guard helicopter arrived, the patient was evacuated from the cash site and transferred to Lifeline for transport to a local hospital. Due to the terrain and impending sunset, the decision was made to return the next morning to continue with the recovery process for the safety of the rescue personnel. The aircraft that crashed was on a Civil Air Patrol search and rescue training mission, our hearts go out to the members of the Civil Air Patrol – Thompson Valley Composite Squadron.

Units on Scene:

Loveland Fire Rescue Authority: Battalion 41, Chief 41, Chief 42, Engine 474, Engine 426, Engine 416, Engine 486, Engine 496, Engine 43, Tender 43, Squad 46, UTV47, UTV49, Wildland 40 & Wildland Module 48

Thompson Valley EMS: Captain 32, Paramedic 341 & Paramedic 331

Estes Valley Fire Protection District: Utility 71 & Squad 79

Larimer County Sheriff Emergency Services: 9-Sam 1, 9-Ocean 4 & Initial Attack Module

Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, Larimer County Search and Rescue, Larimer County Natural Resources Park Rangers, UC Health LifeLine, U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control & Colorado National Guard

Mitchell Ward Photo ©

Mitchell Ward Photo ©

Mitchell Ward Photo ©

Mitchell Ward Photo ©

Mitchell Ward Photo ©

Mitchell Ward Photo ©

Mitchell Ward Photo ©

Mitchell Ward Photo ©

Mitchell Ward Photo ©

Mitchell Ward Photo ©

Mitchell Ward Photo ©

Mitchell Ward Photo ©

Mitchell Ward Photo ©

Mitchell Ward Photo ©

Mitchell Ward Photo ©

Mitchell Ward Photo ©

Mitchell Ward Photo ©