82-year-old pilot dies in single-passenger plane crash in rural Henry County
SULPHUR SPRINGS, Ind. (WISH) — A pilot died in the crash of a single-passenger plane Tuesday afternoon in rural Henry County, Indiana State Police say.
David Michael Province, 82, of Middletown, died in the crash.
Sgt. Scott Keegan with state police said the plane crashed around 2 p.m. Tuesday on an airstrip near the intersection of U.S. 36. and County Road 200 West. The plane was a 1975 Stewart Bowers Fly Baby single-passenger, open cockpit airplane, Keegan said.
The crash happened off County Road 200 West about a half-mile south of U.S. 36. That’s in rural Henry County about a mile east of the town of Sulphur Springs, and about a 12-minute drive northwest of downtown New Castle, the county seat.
An investigator thinks the crash happened at takeoff when westbound at Roberts Field Airport, a small airstrip with limited access. A nearby business, Roberts Pipeline, owns the airfield, according to AirNav.com.
The National Transportation Safety Board tells News 8 that one of its inspectors was expected to be at the site on Wednesday morning.
The NTSB said the crash involved a Sonex Aircraft. Sonex is a kit aircraft manufacturer based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, that produces kits for four all-metal homebuilt monoplanes.
Sulphur Springs is about a 70-minute drive northeast of downtown Indianapolis.
Statement
“NTSB is investigating the Sept. 10 crash of a Sonex Aircraft near Sulphur Springs, Indiana. An NTSB investigator is expected to arrive on scene tomorrow morning. Once on site, the investigator will begin the process of documenting the scene and examining the aircraft. The aircraft will then be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation.
“NTSB investigations involve three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment. As part of this process, investigators will gather the following information and records:
“• Flight track data.
“• Recordings of any air traffic control communications.
“• Aircraft maintenance records.
“• Weather forecasts and actual weather and lighting conditions around the time of the accident.
“• Pilot’s license, ratings and recency of flight experience.
“• 72-hour background of the pilot to determine if there were any issues that could have affected the pilot’s ability to safety operate the flight.
“• Witness statements.
“• Electronic devices that could contain information relevant to the investigation.
•” Any available surveillance video, including from doorbell cameras.
“Witnesses to the accident or those who have surveillance video or other information that could be relevant to the investigation are asked to contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov.
“During the on-scene phase of the investigative process, the NTSB does not determine or speculate about the cause of the accident.
“A preliminary report will be available within 30 days; it can be accessed by searching our investigations database with the NTSB number ERA24FA371. It will also be posted on NTSB Newsroom Twitter.
“The preliminary report will contain factual information gathered during the initial phase of the investigation. A probable cause of the crash along with any contributing factors will be detailed in the final report, which is expected in 12-24 months. ”
National Transportation Safety Board message to News 8