The Chicago Tribune reports that the National Transportation Safety Board is leading an investigation into a fatal plane crash that occurred Wednesday night in Indiana. The crash of the twin engine Cessna occurred at approximately 8:15 according to Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Elizabeth Cory.
The tragic plane crash occurred in a rural area of Indiana about two miles from the municipal airport for the town of Connersville. Farmers in the area assisted firefighters and law enforcement officials in a search for the downed plane on foot and using all terrain vehicles. The search continued for several hours after the crash before they were able to locate the wreckage.
Local news reports indicate that the farmer who first located the wreckage was the owner of the field in which the plane crashed. He described the crash site as ten foot long hole that was about four feet deep. The farmer assisted the investigators in removing the wreckage from the field and storing it overnight.
The FAA Spokeswoman explained that the aircraft accident occurred under “unknown circumstances.” The investigation by the NTSB into the exact cause of the crash may take several months, or even a year to complete. Heavy rains which began after the wreckage were discovered slowed the preliminary investigation of the crash site. The accident reportedly resulted in severe impact which may also lengthen the time needed for the investigation.
The pilot was not immediately identified but the plane was registered to Star Services LLC of Indianapolis. The pilot was the only person on board the plane at the time of the crash.
Source: The Chicago Tribune “Pilot dead in small plane crash in rural Indiana” February 24, 2011