Indiana State Police has released the name of the pilot of the plane who was killed in a plane crash in Warren County as George P. Irick Jr, 68 of Congerville, Illinois. Family has been notified. FAA is on scene with the NTSB arriving tomorrow.
On Sunday at approximately 10:15 a.m., Indiana State Police Helicopter located a plane reported late yesterday evening as missing and presumed downed in the area of Warren County’s CR 575 south and SR 263 (this is near the West Lebanon area).
Preliminary information has revealed that at approximately 10:29 p.m. yesterday, Vermillion County Sheriff’s Department in Illinois notified Warren County Sheriff’s dispatch of a possible downed plane in the area of CR 450 south and CR 400 west. Warren County notified Indiana State Police at the Lafayette Post and troopers were sent to the scene to assist in locating the downed plane. Troopers, Deputies, West Lebanon Fire Department and local volunteers searched the area for about six hours. Due to the rugged terrain of trees, ravines and fences the search was called till 8:00 a.m. this morning.
Police, fire and volunteers met at the West Lebanon Fire Department to receive search information and resumed the search. The ISP helicopter arrived on the scene and after about 20 minutes, located the downed plane. Search and rescue was guided into the location by the helicopter and arrived at the scene to find the pilot deceased. The pilot was the lone occupant.
The FAA and NTSB have been notified. It will take a while for positive identification of the pilot due to the terrain and the distance off the road to extricate the body.
Further information will be released as it is available. Nothing else will be released at this time. The investigation is continuing.