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Missing pilot found; plane nearly buried after crash

BOONE COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — The week-long search for a missing Indianapolis pilot ended on a somber note this weekend, when 58-year-old Glenn Foy was found in the wreckage of his plane in a Boone County field.

A small memorial sits near the field where Foy was found, reading “Blue Skies forever.”

But a cloud hangs over the Indianapolis aviation community, especially at Eagle Creek Airport where Foy kept his plane.

“[When] you lose one of your own, especially under circumstances like this, it hits home. It hurts,” said Alan Reber, whose airplane is stored in a hangar across from Foy’s.

Foy was an antique plane enthusiast, and flew a YAK-52 originally developed in the Soviet Union.

It was nearly buried on impact, only the tail remaining visible.

Colonel Tim Turner of the Indiana Civil Air Patrol says it’s not surprising that it was overlooked by passersby.

“As you drive by from the road, you can tell there’s something out there but it could be farm equipment, it could be debris, could be who knows what. It’s not obvious at all,” said Turner.

The pilot did not return from his flight April 3. His business partner reported him missing a few days later.

When the Indiana Civil Air Patrol took the case, it had been a week since Foy embarked on his last flight.

“Based on the time we believe he left Eagle Creek Airport and the cell phone data, that’s how we were able to figure out this was definitely or most likely the path his aircraft took,” said Turner.

As for the delay: the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department also said they followed protocol in only publicizing Foy’s case once investigators determined his life was in danger.

The Federal Aviation Administration continues to investigate the cause of the crash, but fellow pilots describe him as caring and competent.

“I’m usually careful who I fly with but I always felt comfortable with him the few times that we were together,” said Reber, who is a professional commercial airline pilot. “He will be missed, he’s a great guy.”

The Indiana Wing Civil Air Patrol sent us the following statement:

“The Indiana Wing Civil Air Patrol is saddened by the loss of a fellow pilot. Civil Air Patrol aircrews, ground crews, and command staff worked diligently night and day in an effort to locate Mr. Foy. During the early morning hours of Sunday, April 12th, the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center along with Civil Air Patrol radar and cell phone forensic experts were able to send the Indiana Wing actionable information regarding Mr. Foy’s probable location. This information led to the early morning discovery of Mr. Foy’s airplane in Boone County.”