Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Friday, September 19, 2014
(BLOOMINGTON) - Monroe County Coroner Nicole Meyer confirmed two people died after a small plane crash Thursday afternoon near Bloomington.
Indiana State Police say the crash happened at 12:58 p.m. in a wooded area behind 85 Oard Road near State Road 48, approximately one-quarter mile north of the Monroe County Airport.
According to police, a person on board the Hurricane ultralight reported a mechanical issue, possibly involving fuel related mechanisms, to the Monroe County Airport tower. The airport manager says the pilot reported having low fuel pressure. The pilot was about 7 miles from the airport when he radioed the tower. The pilot was given permission to land. The control tower asked the pilot to contact them again when he was 2 miles out. He did at 3 miles out. The control tower operators then saw a large amount of smoke and attempted to contact the pilot. There was no response.
Investigators say while the plane was approaching the airport from the north, traveling south, the plane lost altitude and crashed into a small shed and wooded area behind a home. The plane was immediately engulfed in flames. Members of the Ellettsville and Van Buren Township Fire Department extinguished the blaze.
Authorities say the two male passengers on board were killed. Because of the condition of the plane, police say the aircraft has not been positively identified. DNA and dental records will be used to identify the victims.
"We don't have any idea who these individuals might be. We don't know the sex of these individuals either," Meyer said later at a news conference. She also said officials did not know how many people may have been on board and would have to search the woods to determine if there were any more victims.
Indianapolis-based FAA safety inspector Steve Burnham said officials did not know the plane's origins.
The investigation is underway by ISP Master Trooper Mark Clephane of the Bloomington Post and the Federal Aviation Administration. The investigation could take weeks to complete.
The American Red Cross provided food and beverages to officials on scene.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.