TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - The property owner of a field where a Purdue Aviation airplane crashed says he didn't know until all the crews came out to investigate.
As News 18 previously reported, on Thursday, April 11, a single engine Piper PA28 airplane crashed into a field near US 231 and County Road 600 North in Tippecanoe County. The wreckage was discovered around 5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 12. Tippecanoe County Bob Goldsmith says they're working with Purdue to find out why the crash was reported a day later.
"I heard the same thing you guys did, and I heard that the plan went missing Thursday night around 8 pm. So we're trying to figure out let's fill the gap and that's what our investigators are doing at this time," he said.
According to the website Flight Aware, the plane flew northwest from the Purdue University Airport, and made a series of unexpected movements before crashing. Over the weekend, crews took care of the debris in the field.
"Saturday I was told the FAA responded and the plane has since been removed," Goldsmith said.
I spoke with the owner of the property who wanted to remain anonymous. Neither he, nor any of his neighbors heard, or saw the plane crash into his field.
"Once people started driving around looking for a downed plane is when I heard about it," he said.
According to the FAA's preliminary report, the damage sustained to the plane is considered 'destroyed'. They call this an 'accident', and say the plane crashed 'under unknown circumstances'. According to the Tippecanoe County Coroner's report, one male died in the crash. It says the cause of death is blunt force injuries from the plane crash.
"It's hard on them, it's hard on the family, it's hard on everybody involved. I wish it was a different outcome," the property owner said. "I was hoping when they were first looking for a downed plane they were going to rescue somebody."
The National Transportation Security Board will now be investigating the crash. They say "A preliminary report will be available within 30 days. Final reports take between 12-24 months."
The property owner says his field didn't suffer any serious damage. There's a large indent in his field from where the plane landed.
