Piper PA-28-161 accident near Montmorenci, IN
On April 12, 2024, a Piper PA-28-161 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Montmorenci, IN. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 12, 2024
- Place
- Montmorenci, IN
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-161 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 40.500°N, 87.033°W
- NTSB ID
- 20240415194087
Official records · CEN24LA157
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On April 11, 2024, about 2021 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161 airplane, N564PU, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Montmorenci, Indiana. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to ADS-B data, the airplane departed the Purdue University Airport (LAF), Lafayette, Indiana, about 1940, for a local night flight. The airplane departed runway 28, conducted four traffic pattern landings, and then continued northwest climbing to about 4,000 ft mean sea level. About 10 miles from LAF, ADS-B data showed the airplane made numerous turns before data ended about 2021. The airplane was located the next day by local law enforcement about 1400. The wreckage was located in an agricultural field and distributed on a magnetic heading of about 350°. The initial impact point was located about 70 ft from the main wreckage. The impact point contained the two-bladed propeller, propeller hub, and several separated sections of the lower fuselage. Fragmented sections of the left wing, engine components, and interior were found in the debris between the impact point and the main wreckage. Both wing leading edges were crushed aft to mid chord line. The forward fuselage was crushed aft to mid-cabin. The airplane damage was consistent with a high-angle and high-energy impact with terrain. Postaccident examination did not identify any preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An autopsy of the pilot was performed
Probable cause
The pilot’s intentional flight into terrain as an act of suicide.
More accidents in IN
- Pilatus PC-12, May 25, 2011
- Mitsubishi MU-2B-60, Sep 11, 1992
- Cessna 310N, Nov 20, 1984
- Cessna T303, Nov 14, 2006
- Cessna U206G, Apr 21, 2006
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.
