PIPER PA-28-161 near Montmorenci, IN — 2024-04-12

Probable cause

The pilot’s intentional flight into terrain as an act of suicide.

NTSB narrative

The pilot departed on a local night flight, conducted four traffic pattern landings, and then climbed to about 4,000 ft mean sea level. About 10 miles from the airport, ADS-B data showed the airplane made numerous turns before data ended. The airplane was located the next day in an agricultural field; it was destroyed by impact forces. Postaccident examination of the wreckage did not identify any anomalies that would have prevented normal operation of the airplane. The pilot left behind two notes suggesting that he was going to commit suicide. Following a death investigation, the county coroner classified the manner of death as a suicide.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Human factors

First missed decision gate

Pilot could have sought help or avoided flight after expressing suicidal intent.

NTSB coding

• Security/criminal event · Enroute-cruise

Evidence available

• ADS-B / radar
• Photos
• 6 docket documents

Docket documents6

• PILOT/OPERATOR AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT, NTSB FORM 6120.1form
• FAA INSPECTOR STATEMENTinterview
• PHOTO ARRAYphotos
• ACCIDENT FLIGHT ADS-B CSVradar
• ACCIDENT FLIGHT ADS-B KMLradar
• TOXICOLOGICAL REPORTreport

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