Probable Cause Report Says He Intentionally Flew His Plane Into The Ground

The NTSB has released a probable cause report for a crash that occurred on January 11, 2015 in Brighton, CO. The board has determined that the the pilot intentionally flew his airplane into terrain to commit suicide.

According to the report, witnesses said they observed the pilot taxi the airplane from inside his hangar and depart. For several minutes, the airplane maneuvered at a low altitude and high airspeed. Witnesses then observed the airplane make a steep bank turn, descend, and impact terrain about 5 miles east of the departure airport.

The pilot’s wife had reported to local law enforcement that she believed he had committed suicide. The pilot’s wife reported that she had recently informed him that she wanted a divorce and was purchasing another home. She added that, about 5 years earlier, the pilot had told her that, if she ever left him, he would fly his airplane into the ground and kill himself. Although the wreckage was significantly fragmented, no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airframe or engine were noted that would have precluded normal operation. The medical examiner determined that the pilot’s manner of death was “suicide.”

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause of this accident to be the pilot’s intentional descent into the terrain.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov