Accident Overview
On April 1, 2024, at approximately 1027 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-236 airplane, registration N8438B, was destroyed when it struck terrain in a wooded area near Muncie, Indiana. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and two pedestrians on a public walking trail also sustained serious injuries from the airplane. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight Path
The pilot filed an instrument flight rules flight plan. Data from OpsVue track data indicated that the airplane departed from runway 35 at Monroe County Airport (BMG), Bloomington, Indiana, around 0937. The aircraft then traveled northeast and maneuvered to establish the RNAV (area navigation) runway 14 approach at Muncie Delaware County Airport (MIE).
The airplane appeared to track on final to MIE, descending to an altitude of about 2,900 ft mean sea level (msl), and was aligned with the final approach course. Shortly thereafter, it drifted right of the runway 14 final approach course and tracked parallel to it. Approximately midfield abeam the airport, the pilot arrested the descent at about 1,100 ft msl and began a climbing right turn.
The turn continued in two full 360° right-hand circles. The airplane initially climbed during the first turn but then descended, climbed, and descended again. The highest altitudes recorded were about 1,425 ft msl in the first turn, 1,350 ft msl in the second turn, and 1,550 ft msl in a final incomplete turn. Track data was lost at 1026 at about 1,300 ft msl, when the airplane was on an approximate 292° ground track.
The airplane impacted terrain about 3,400 ft southwest of the midpoint of runway 14. Both wings and the empennage separated from the fuselage. The wreckage was recovered for further examination.
Meteorological Conditions
A preliminary review of meteorological data showed that instrument meteorological conditions prevailed during the approach. The wind was from 040° at 13 kts, visibility was 6 miles in mist, and the ceiling was overcast at 500 ft above ground level.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming Engines O-540-J3A5D reciprocating engine and a McCauley Propeller Systems B3D36C431/80VSA-1 constant speed propeller. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness records, it also had a Garmin GFC 500 autopilot system and a Garmin G5 electronic flight instrument system.
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land rating and an instrument rating, per FAA airman records.