Two people out for a walk in Muncie, Indiana, were seriously injured when a small private plane crashed into a walking path near the Delaware County Regional Airport on Monday morning. According to airport officials, the incident occurred just before 10:30 a.m. when a single-engine Piper aircraft fell out of the sky and crashed while en route to the airport.
During a press conference, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department stated that it is unclear whether the pedestrians were struck by the falling plane or by debris as the aircraft collided into the treeline surrounding the walking path. The pilot, who was reported to be the only person on board the plane, also sustained serious injuries and had to be extricated from the wreckage by first responders before being rushed to the hospital.
Delaware County Regional Airport spokesperson Tim Baty mentioned that there was no call for an emergency landing, and the pilot, who was not local to Muncie, missed the first landing attempt before crashing on the second try. The pilot and one of the pedestrians were transported to an Indianapolis hospital for further treatment.
Sheriff Tony Skinner expressed his condolences, stating, “That’s a bad day. They’re out doing some exercise, going for a walk, and the next thing you know they’re being struck by a plane. It’s very unfortunate, we’re praying for the best for everyone involved.”
The cause of the crash is still unknown, and investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are ongoing. This incident marks the first serious injury crash at the Muncie airport in over 20 years, according to airport officials.
