What happened
On November 4, 2025, at approximately 12:45 EST, a Funk B85C, registration N24157, was destroyed following an accident near Anderson, Indiana. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight, ferrying the airplane to Anderson Regional Airport (AID) for a new owner.
Earlier that day, the aircraft departed a private grass airfield (II26) in Wolcott, Indiana. During the initial takeoff and departure, no anomalies were observed. While enroute to AID, the pilot contacted the air traffic controller at the AID tower, reporting being 10 miles from the airport and inbound for landing. The controller instructed the pilot to report a 2-mile final approach for runway 12, which the pilot acknowledged. No further radio contact was established, though the controller noted the pilot did not appear to be in distress during the final communications.
A witness observed the airplane flying northbound along County Road 100 West before it made sharp turns to the west and then to the south. The aircraft landed in a dirt field adjacent to the witness's property. The witness reported hearing the engine popping or backfiring during the landing sequence. After touching down, the airplane traveled approximately 835 feet in a relatively straight line before striking a tree in the witness's front yard. The witness noted that while the engine was not running during the rollout, the propeller continued to spin. Following the impact with the tree, a fire ignited, with flames visible through the broken windshield.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed that the front of the plane was crushed, with tree bark embedded in the #3 engine cylinder. The firewall and cabin sustained thermal damage. The engine's mixture was in the full-rich position, the throttle was partially open, and the ignition was set to both magnetos. Although the fuel selector broke during the impact, approximately 7 gallons of fuel remained in the single tank, and no water was detected in the fuel.
Mechanical inspections of the engine found that the #1 and #3 cylinders had damaged fins and the engine case was cracked, both consistent with impact. However, a borescope examination of the four cylinders showed no internal anomalies, and all eight spark plugs were found to be normal. The oil filter was clear of debris, and the oil level was full. The gascolator and carburetor screens were clean and free of debris.
Structural examination showed that the elevator, ailerons, rudder, and brakes were all functional. While the wings remained attached to the fuselage, the inboard ribs and spars were cracked, and the wing fabric was wrinkled.