Video footage shared on social media has captured a dramatic moment when a small plane narrowly avoided crashing into a mountainside in Colorado, prompting an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The FAA reported that the incident took place on Thursday afternoon and involved a single-engine Cessna 152 near Devil's Thumb. According to their statement, the aircraft experienced a stall and began descending but successfully landed at its intended destination without further incident.

Jason Dunn, who witnessed the event while hiking, detailed the tense situation in a Facebook post. He observed the plane approaching from across the valley, noting its struggle to clear a mountain saddle.

"As a former licensed pilot, I was concerned it might enter an aerodynamic stall," Dunn wrote. "It either stalled or the pilot made a last-ditch effort to turn the plane in a dead-end valley before a potential crash into the mountain or us."

Accompanying video footage depicted the plane descending toward the terrain before swiftly ascending again, underscoring the gravity of the moment.

The FAA has not disclosed information about the number of occupants aboard the aircraft during the incident.

Greg Boom, owner of Rocky Mountain Flight School, confirmed that the pilot had rented the Cessna 152 through their service. He assured that the aircraft had undergone routine inspections and was free of any reported issues. Thankfully, the pilot emerged from the incident unharmed.

"It’s unsettling to witness," Boom remarked on the incident, emphasizing that the pilot will no longer be flying with their flight school.

The FAA's investigation into the incident aims to ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding the near-crash and ensure adherence to aviation safety protocols and regulations.