Boulder County search underway for missing single-engine plane

Search and rescue crews are conducting operations in the rugged backcountry of Boulder County following a possible single-engine aircraft crash near Eldorado Springs. The United States Air Force Rescue Coordination Center reported the incident after an emergency beacon was triggered on Sunday night.

The aircraft, a single-engine fixed-wing plane, originated from Vance Brand Airport in Longmont and was last seen on radar near the Eldorado Springs area. Because the aircraft is of a size that does not require a flight plan, the exact number of people onboard has not been confirmed.

Initial overnight search efforts involving MedEvac helicopters with night vision technology were unable to locate the plane. Search operations resumed on the morning of October 5, 2026, to allow crews to access the terrain on foot. Multiple agencies are assisting, including the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, the Civil Air Patrol, and the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group.