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Missing Pilot Found Dead After Aircraft Crashed in Cornfield, State Police Say
David Edward Wittmer, 75, died in a crash during touch-and-go landing practice; no foul play is suspected, and the incident is under investigation as accidental.
- Thursday, Pennsylvania State Police located 75-year-old Altoona man David Edward Wittmer's crashed ultralight in a Young Township cornfield along Coal Run Road about 10:30 a.m., less than a mile from takeoff.
- Wednesday, Wittmer departed a Young Township field between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to practice touch-and-go landings near Church Street and did not return.
- An overnight search by the Pennsylvania State Police Aviation Patrol Unit and volunteer firefighters resumed Thursday morning, and a volunteer pilot located the wreckage around 10:30 a.m.
- The Indiana County Coroner's Office is assisting, next-of-kin have been notified, and a preliminary report identified multiple blunt force trauma injuries.
- Ultralight rules and capabilities help explain search decisions about range and daylight limits, as these unregistered one- to two-seat aircraft weigh less than 254 pounds, carry five gallons, reach 55 knots, and have a range up to 100 miles.
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Missing pilot found dead after aircraft crashed in cornfield, state police say
State police were searching for David Wittmer, a 75-year-old pilot, after he took off Wednesday evening and never returned. Troopers said his aircraft and body were found Thursday morning.
·Lancaster, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left1Leaning Right3Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution69% Center
Bias Distribution
- 69% of the sources are Center
69% Center
C 69%
R 23%
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