2010 Piper PA-24-250 Crash Near Madison, Indiana (N5425P)

Accident Overview and Flight Details On April 19, 2010, at approximately 1038 central daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250 Comanche, registration N5425P, was destroyed when it impacted the ground near Madison, Indiana. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from Madison County Airport (IMS) in Madison, Indiana, at approximately 1030. A witness reported hearing the engine rev up before observing the aircraft pitch up, roll to the right into an inverted position, and nose-dive toward the ground. The aircraft impacted an open agricultural field about 4 miles northwest of IMS, resting approximately 500 feet south of a tree line and 150 feet west of a north-south access road. The only recognizable portion of the aircraft was the empennage section, with the engine embedded about 4 feet into the ground. Examination of the instruments and debris field indicated the impact occurred at a high rate of speed in a near-vertical attitude on a path of about 220 degrees magnetic. No preimpact anomalies were detected with respect to the airframe, control system, or engine, though a comprehensive determination of the preimpact condition was not possible due to the extent of the damage.