Probable cause
The sun glare and the pilot's subsequent loss of airplane control.
NTSB analysis
While preparing to land on runway 28, the pilot switched to runway 10, but then switched back to runway 28 to avoid hot air balloon and helicopter operations at the airport. While on final approach to runway 28, the pilot was blinded by the sun. The pilot stated that the airplane started to settle and he was "too low and too slow" over the cornfield. The airplane impacted the ground between the runway and the cornfield and slid across a road before coming to a stop. The fuselage and firewall were substantially damaged. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN14CA481 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 1, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Plymouth, Indiana
- Nearest airport
- Plymouth Municipal Airport (C65)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Piper PA 28-140
- N-number
- N8307R
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1966
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.