Accident Overview
On November 4, 2025, about 12:45 eastern standard time, a Funk B85C airplane, N24157, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Anderson, Indiana. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight History
The airplane departed a private grass airfield (II26) in Wolcott, Indiana, earlier on the day of the accident and was enroute to Anderson Regional Airport (AID), Anderson, Indiana. The airplane was recently purchased, and the pilot was flying the airplane to AID for the new owner. A video taken of the airplane departing II26 showed no anomalies during takeoff or departure.
Air Traffic Control Communications
An air traffic controller at the AID tower stated that the pilot reported being 10 miles from AID inbound for landing. The controller instructed the pilot to report a 2 mile final approach for runway 12. The pilot acknowledged the request. The controller had no further contact with the pilot and noted that the pilot did not seem to be in distress during the radio communications.
Witness Observation
A witness standing in his yard saw the airplane fly northbound along County Road 100 West in Anderson. The airplane then turned sharply to the west and then to the south before landing in a dirt field adjacent to the witness's property. The witness reported hearing the engine popping or backfiring during the landing sequence. After landing, the airplane rolled in a relatively straight line until it impacted a tree in the witness's front yard. The witness stated that the engine was not running during the landing rollout, but the propeller was spinning. The witness could see the pilot, whose eyes were open and both hands were on the yoke.
Post-Impact Fire
After the airplane struck the tree, a fire ignited. The witness observed flames coming from the broken windshield. The witness obtained a fire extinguisher and began extinguishing the fire. Other people traveling on County Road 100 West stopped to assist in extinguishing the fire and extracting the pilot from the airplane. The witness reported no smoke or fire from the airplane before impact.
Ground Evidence
The airplane landed on a heading of about 179°. A divot consistent with the size and shape of the tailwheel marked the initial touchdown point. From that point to the tree, there was a single set of tire tracks. The airplane traveled approximately 835 feet from touchdown to tree impact.
Airframe and Engine Examination
The front of the airplane was crushed, and tree bark was embedded in the #3 engine cylinder. The propeller was straight and undamaged, without curling or polishing. The firewall and cabin showed thermal damage. The mixture was in the full-rich position, the throttle was partially out, and the ignition was set to both. The fuel selector position could not be determined because it broke free during impact. Fuel was dripping from the fuel line attached to the selector. Postaccident, about 7 gallons of fuel were drained from the airplane's sole fuel tank.
Control surfaces were functional: elevator and ailerons moved freely when the yoke was manipulated, the rudder moved freely with pedal input, and brakes on both main wheels activated when depressed. Both wings were still attached to the fuselage, but the ribs and spars on the inboard side of both wings were cracked, and the fabric covering was rippled and wrinkled.
Engine examination revealed that the #1 and #3 cylinders had damaged fins consistent with impact damage, and the #3 cylinder was displaced aft. The engine case was cracked near those cylinders. A borescope inspection of all four cylinders showed no anomalies. Thumb compressions were obtained on all cylinders. All eight spark plugs were normal per the Champion Aviation Check-A-Plug chart. Both left and right magnetos fired when tested. The oil filter screen was clear, and the oil dipstick read full. The gascolator screen was clean, the gascolator was full of fuel, and a water test using Kolor Kut Water Finding Paste detected no water. The carburetor screen was clean, and fuel was present in the carburetor bowl.
The airplane was retained for further examination.