Piper PA28 accident near Muncie, IN
On April 1, 2024, a Piper PA28 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Muncie, IN. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 1, 2024
- Place
- Muncie, IN
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 40.235°N, 85.405°W
- NTSB ID
- 20240401194014
Official records · CEN24LA144
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- ATC - Attachment 2 - Mie Audio Recordings: Recording (ZIP), on ntsb.gov
- ATC - Attachment 3 - Ind Audio Recordings: Recording (ZIP), on ntsb.gov
- ATC - Group Chairman's Factual Report: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
- ATC - Attachment 4 - Mie Facility Documentation: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
- ATC - Attachment 5 - Ind Facility Documentation: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn April 1, 2024, about 1027 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-236 airplane, N8438B, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Muncie, Indiana. The pilot sustained fatal injuries and two pedestrians on the ground sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The purpose of the flight was to transport the airplane, a Piper Dakota, from Monroe County Airport (BMG), Bloomington, Indiana, to Muncie Delaware County Airport (MIE). The pilot intended to transport the airplane to MIE to have a pitot-static test performed to meet the requirements for IFR operations. A review of ForeFlight records indicated that a VFR flight plan was filed with an estimated enroute time of 40 minutes. The flight plan was subsequently amended to an IFR flight plan. A review of air traffic control (ATC) surveillance data showed that, about 0937, the airplane departed BMG and climbed to an initial cruise altitude of 5,000 ft. About 0944, the pilot checked in with the Indianapolis Airport Traffic Control Tower and reported the airplane was level at 5,000 ft. The departure radar east (DRE) controller provided the pilot with the current altimeter setting. The pilot acknowledged and requested a climb to 7,000 ft, stating that he was still in the clouds at 5,000 ft. The controller approved the climb to 7,000 ft. The pilot acknowledged with a correct readback. About 0950, the pilot attempted to contact the DRE controller to provide a pilot weather report (PIREP). About 0951, the DRE controller res
Probable cause
The pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control while maneuvering outside established instrument approach procedures in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the local control controller’s failure to issue appropriate missed approach instructions due to inadequate procedural knowledge.
More accidents in IN
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Browse: Indiana · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
