Private plane makes emergency landing on Highway 287

At approximately 3:00 p.m. on April 14, a small single-engine Mooney M20C aircraft made an emergency landing on the southbound lanes of Highway 287 just north of Niwot Road. The airplane, originally identified as a Cessna, was traveling from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport and experienced mechanical issues resulting in the emergency landing.

The pilot was identified by the Boulder County Sheriff's Office as a 36-year-old male who was the only person onboard the aircraft. No one was injured during the landing. Sheriff's office deputies, Emergency Services, Colorado State Patrol, Erie Police Department, members of Lafayette Fire Department, Mountain View Fire Rescue, Boulder Rural Fire Protection District, and Boulder Emergency Squad responded to the scene.

The aircraft was pushed off the road, and the highway was then reopened to traffic. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident to determine the exact cause of the emergency landing.

The Boulder County Sheriff's Office involvement is documented under case report: 24-01826.