N629AG Plane Crash in Indiana Claims Four Lives
ANDERSON, IN – A single-engine Piper PA-46 aircraft crashed into a cornfield near Anderson Municipal Airport on September 6, 2024, resulting in the deaths of all four occupants.
N629AG Flight Details and Crash
The small aircraft, N629AG, departed from Fort Dodge Regional Airport in Iowa at approximately 6:45 a.m. Central Time, aiming to land at Anderson Municipal Airport, located about an hour’s drive northeast of Indianapolis. The flight climbed to a cruising altitude of 21,000 feet before descending for its approach to Anderson. About 13 miles west-northwest of the airport, the pilot was instructed to descend to 3,000 feet and prepare for a visual approach to runway 12.
However, the plane ultimately went down in a nearby cornfield, as stated by Captain Darwin Dwiggins from the Madison County Sheriff’s Department. Dwiggins noted that the plane approached the landing site at an excessive altitude. At approximately 3,600 feet, the pilot informed air traffic control that the airport was in sight, but shortly after, the pilot requested a go-around. The pilot was then instructed to turn right and climb to 3,000 feet again, but the aircraft did not complete the go-around successfully.
Witness accounts from the scene described the airplane climbing after coming into sight above the tree line, but then it “stopped climbing all of a sudden,” rolled to the right, and entered a rapid descent. One witness reported hearing the engine rev loudly, which was corroborated by another nearby who heard it “rev up” and then “cut out” before the crash.
The wreckage was discovered about one mile southeast of the runway in a cornfield, with the plane destroyed by a post-impact fire. Investigators from the NTSB reported that there was no indication of in-flight structural failure. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, with further examination of the flight data underway.
The Madison county Coroner’s Office identified the four Fatalities
- 68-year-old Joseph R. Scallon of Iowa Falls, Iowa
- 19-year-old “Owen” James Renaud of Alden, Iowa
- 41-year-old Jesse H. Ostheimer of Alden, Iowa
- 36-year-old Braden W. Hicks of Manson, Iowa
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Preliminary NTSB Report: Aviation Investigation Report
The preliminary NTSB report details a fatal crash of a Piper PA-46-350P aircraft (N629AG) near Anderson, Indiana, on September 6, 2024. The accident claimed the lives of the pilot, two pilot-rated passengers, and one other passenger. The flight had departed from Fort Dodge Regional Airport, Iowa, heading for Anderson Municipal Airport, Indiana, under clear conditions.
Key events include:
- The flight climbed to 21,000 feet before descending as directed by air traffic control for a visual approach to runway 12 at Anderson.
- At 3,600 feet, the pilot requested a go-around after initially preparing to land, and was cleared to climb to 3,000 feet. However, shortly after, the plane crossed the runway at 1,610 feet.
- The aircraft then appeared to start a right turn and climbed to about 2,185 feet before witnesses reported seeing the plane roll to the right and descend rapidly with its engine revving loudly.
- The plane crashed in a cornfield southeast of the runway, and the wreckage was consumed by fire. There were no indications of in-flight structural failure, though the exact flap position could not be determined due to the extent of the damage.
The investigation is ongoing. The NTSB is analyzing the flight data and any recovered evidence from the crash site.
Madison County Coroner's Office Press Release
Madison County Coroner's Office Press Release
FORT DODGE Regional Airport Press Release
FORT DODGE Regional Airport Press Release
N629AG Timeline and Reports
The NTSB aims to complete investigations within 12 to 24 months, though this timeline can vary based on the complexity of the accident and the agency’s workload. During this period, the NTSB may release several reports:
- A Preliminary Report, typically available within a few weeks of the accident
- An Accident Docket containing relevant information collected during the investigation
- A Final Report or Accident Brief providing a comprehensive analysis, probable cause determination, and any safety recommendations
It’s important to note that the NTSB does not determine fault or liability; its primary goal is to enhance transportation safety by identifying the probable cause and issuing safety recommendations to prevent similar accidents in the future. As the investigation into the Anderson crash progresses, families of the victims and the public can expect updates from the NTSB’s Transportation Disaster Assistance (TDA) Division, which serves as the primary point of contact for information regarding the investigative process.
NTSB: Indiana Plane Crash Details
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
- Aircraft Make: PIPER AIRCRAFT INC
- Registration: N629AG
- Model/Series: PA 46-350P
- Aircraft Category: Airplane
- Amateur Built: No
- Operator: OKOBOJI AIR LLC
- Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
- Operator Designator Code: N/A
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
- Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
- Condition of Light: Day
- Observation Facility, Elevation: KAID, 919 ft msl
- Observation Time: 09:59 Local
- Distance from Accident Site: 1.6 Nautical Miles
- Temperature/Dew Point: 21°C / 18°C
- Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 0 knots / 0 knots, 0°
- Lowest Cloud Condition: Broken / 6000 ft AGL
- Visibility: 10 miles
- Altimeter Setting: 30.04 inches Hg
- Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
- Departure Point: Fort Dodge, IA (KFOD)
- Destination: Anderson, IN (AID)
Wreckage and Impact Information
- Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
- Passenger Injuries: 3 Fatal
- Ground Injuries: N/A
- Total Injuries: 4 Fatal
- Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
- Aircraft Fire: On-ground
- Aircraft Explosion: None
- Latitude, Longitude: 40.094,-85.586 (est)
Administrative Information
- Investigator In Charge (IIC): Sorensen, Timothy
- Additional Participating Persons:
- Paula Behrend; FAA Flight Standards; Indianapolis, IN
- Sean Holloway; Piper Aircraft; Vero Beach, FL
- Investigation Class: Class 3
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