Richmond, IN — The Indiana State Police Pendleton Post is assisting the Federal Aviation Administration with the investigation of an airplane crash, which took place south of the Richmond Municipal Airport located on State Road 227 in Wayne County.
Shortly before 8 am on Sunday, Wayne County Dispatch received 911 calls reporting that a small plane had crashed near the airport. Troopers and first responders arrived near the area and located a yellow Aerotrek A240 plane that had crashed into a field south of the airport property. Firefighters from the Richmond Fire Department and the Boston Fire Department were able to extinguish the fire.
The pilot was pronounced dead at the scene by the Wayne County Coroner. He was identified as Judson J. Costlow, 78, of Richmond Indiana.
Early investigation revealed Costlow was flying to Arizona to visit family. He was flying alone at the time of the crash. There were no other injuries resulting from the crash.
The crash scene and the investigation has been turned over to the FAA. Indiana State Police will continue to assist the FAA, however, any determinations made relating to the cause of the crash will be released by their agency concluding a thorough investigation.
The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Federal Aviation Administration, Wayne County Coroner, Richmond Fire Department, Boston Fire Department, and Pardo’s Wrecker.
