Fowler, IN – A plane crash in Benton County claimed the life of a pilot on Monday evening. The crash occurred around 6:42 p.m. near 200 East, between 700 South and 800 South, according to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
First responders found the yellow fixed-wing crop duster upside down and on fire in a bean field on the west side of 200 East. The fire was quickly extinguished, but the male pilot was found deceased. The Benton County Coroner’s Office is conducting an investigation. The airplane, owned and operated by Bi-State Air, will have the pilot officially identified by Coroner Matt Rosenbarger following an autopsy.
According to Sheriff John Cox, the NTSB and FAA were notified and are set to begin their investigation today. A “No Fly” order has been placed over the crash site through the Purdue University Airport. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is also scheduled to investigate the site. The section of 200 East between 700 South and 800 South remains closed until the aircraft is removed.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Indiana State Police, Fowler Police Department, Otterbein Police Department, Benton County EMA, Benton County EMS, Oxford Fire Department, Fowler Fire Department, Boswell Fire Department, and Farney’s Towing and Recovery.
Sheriff Cox expressed his condolences to the pilot’s family and gratitude to the emergency responders who assisted at the scene. Further details will be released following the completion of the investigations.
