On October 18, 2021, about 1924 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181 airplane, N820ND, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Buxton, North Dakota. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

According to air traffic control information, the pilot departed Grand Forks International Airport (GFK), Grand Forks, North Dakota, about 1900 for a night cross-country flight to Hector International Airport (FAR), Fargo, North Dakota. The airplane departed runway 17L, climbed to about 3,700 ft mean sea level, and continued south toward FAR. About 30 miles from GFK, the airplane turned left about 180° and began a rapid descent (see figure 1.). The airplane’s track ended about 1924. Based on an estimate of the last known position, the airplane was located by local law enforcement about 2040.

Figure 1. Airplane flight track

The wreckage was located in a plowed, soft dirt field and distributed on a magnetic heading of about 300°. The initial impact point was located about 25 ft from the main wreckage. The initial impact contained the two-bladed propeller and propeller hub and several separated sections of the lower forward fuselage. Fragmented sections of the engine cowling, upper cockpit and windscreen structure, plexiglass, and avionics were found in the debris forward of the main wreckage. Both wing leading edges were crushed aft to the flaps and ailerons. The forward fuselage was crushed aft to the rear cabin bulkhead. The airplane damage was consistent with a high-angle and high-energy impact with terrain.

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations.

An autopsy of the pilot was performed by the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, North Dakota. The autopsy report listed the cause of death as blunt force trauma, and the manner of death as suicide.

The Federal Aviation Administration Forensic Sciences Laboratory, performed toxicology testing on specimens from the pilot. Testing was negative for ethanol drugs, and carbon monoxide.