Casualties unknown

1991-03-21: Cessna 120 (N4117N) — Korsen, Richard — Simsbury, CT

Simsbury, CT, US

On March 21, 1991, a Cessna 120 (registration N4117N) operated by Korsen, Richard was involved in an aviation accident near Simsbury, CT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A missing airplane was located in a state forest 10 days after departure. The pilot was found dead beside the aircraft, and a passenger in the right front seat. Autopsies determined the pilot died from acute ethanol intoxication (suicide) and the passenger from gunshot wounds (homicide).

Incident Details

A missing airplane was discovered in a state forest 10 days after it had departed. The aircraft had crashed at an unspecified location within the forest. Upon discovery, the pilot was found dead lying next to the airplane, while a passenger, identified as the pilot's wife, was found deceased in the right front seat.

Investigation and Autopsy Findings

The medical examiner's office conducted autopsies on both occupants. The pilot's autopsy report stated that the cause of death was "due to acute ethanol intoxication" and that the manner of death was suicide. The passenger's autopsy report revealed that the cause of death was "gunshot wounds of head" and that the manner of death was homicide. No other details regarding the circumstances of the crash or the presence of a firearm were provided in the source material.

The investigation into the accident remains based solely on the autopsy findings, with no additional information released about the aircraft's condition, the flight's origin or destination, or any potential communication before the crash.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X16676. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.