1 fatality

Aircraft Impacted Ground After Dropping Off Radar; Pilot Killed (N404EX)

South Lyon, United States of AmericaTakeoff (climb)

On August 16, 1985, a Cessna 404 Titan (registration N404EX) operated by Wolverine Air Charter was involved in an aviation accident near South Lyon, United States of America during takeoff. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Undetermined. Occurrence #1: undetermined (reason for occurrence undetermined). Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water (descent - uncontrolled). This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

The aircraft climbed to 5,000 feet, then dropped off radar and struck the ground in a flat upright attitude. A post-crash fire consumed most of the airframe. The pilot, the sole occupant, was killed.

Accident Details

The aircraft took off and climbed to 5,000 feet uneventfully. It then dropped off radar and subsequently impacted the ground in a flat upright attitude. A post-crash fire consumed the majority of the airframe. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Investigation Findings

Engine and prop teardowns indicated no abnormalities and power at the time of impact. A fire in the cargo compartment was ruled out by ATF investigators. Main electrical switches were found off in the wreckage. An oxygen bottle in the nose caught fire separately from the rest of the aircraft, but it could not be determined if the oxygen fire took place in the air or after impact. The door warning, left and right alt out, left and right hyd flow, and left and right low fuel annunciator bulbs exhibited stretched filaments when examined following the crash.

Probable cause

Undetermined. Occurrence #1: undetermined (reason for occurrence undetermined). Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water (descent - uncontrolled).