At a Glance
- A Cessna 750 slid 300 yards off the Telluride runway after a gust hit at touchdown
- Three passengers walked away unharmed and refused medical checks
- Left landing-gear collapse caused wing and nose damage
- Why it matters: The crash closed the high-altitude runway and triggered a federal probe
A private jet landing at Telluride Regional Airport careened 300 yards into a snowy field Tuesday when a powerful crosswind struck the moment its wheels touched the pavement. All three people aboard escaped without injury and declined medical attention.
How the Incident Unfolded
San Miguel County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched at 12:15 p.m. local time after the Cessna 750 veered off course. In a Facebook post, the agency said the aircraft “skidded approximately 300 yards off the runway,” leaving deep tracks in the snow and the left wingtip resting on the ground.
The pilot told investigators that “just after the plane’s wheels touched down, a strong, gusting crosswind hit the plane’s profile, shoving it off the runway.”
Emergency Response
First responders rolled in force:
- Three fire engines
- Three ambulances
- Three district-chief units
- One investigative unit
“Upon arrival, the three occupants, who had self-extricated, claimed no injury and refused medical assessment,” a Telluride Fire Protection District spokesperson told News Of Losangeles. Crews found no fire, smoke, or hazardous material and released all units within the hour.
Aircraft Damage Details
Photographs released by the sheriff show the jet, registered N772XJ, sitting canted in powdery snow adjacent to the tarmac. The left main landing gear collapsed under the strain, buckling the left wing and nose wheel.
In a Wednesday statement, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the gear failure and classified the damage as “substantial.” The agency will lead the investigation.
Aircraft Ownership
Federal records list the 2007 Cessna 750 as owned by Mach .92 Leasing LLC, based in Raleigh, N.C. The company has not yet commented on the incident.
Runway Closure
Airport officials closed the runway immediately after the mishap. Telluride Regional, perched at 9,078 feet, is one of the highest commercial airports in North America, where thin air and sudden mountain weather can complicate landings.
Jonathan P. Miller joined News Of Losangeles as an apprentice in 2024 and has previously contributed to Des Moines CITYVIEW Magazine and Iowa Public Radio.
