Casualties unknown

Pilot Fatally Injured After Colliding with His House; Suicide Ruled (N470SP)

Amherst, NH, US

On August 25, 2001, a Socata TB-20 (registration N470SP) was involved in an aviation accident near Amherst, NH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Suicide, when the pilot intentionally crashed his airplane into his house. 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 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot under a restraining order was escorted from his New Hampshire home, then flew a plane into it the next day. The medical examiner ruled the crash a suicide.

Background

Law enforcement officials issued a restraining order to a pilot at his residence in Amherst, New Hampshire. The pilot was escorted off the property.

Flight

The following morning, the pilot arrived at the airport and requested that his airplane be pulled from the hangar. Before an employee could comply, the pilot pulled the airplane out himself, preflighted it, and departed. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot asked air traffic control if Amherst was "over by the green water tower."

Collision

A neighbor heard an airplane flying low over the area and watched it descend in a steep angle of bank. The neighbor lost sight of the airplane, then heard the sound of three impacts. The airplane had collided with the pilot's house. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.

Investigation

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of New Hampshire ruled the pilot's death a suicide.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20010905X01883. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.