Piper J3C | N88218
October 18th, 2026 | Boonville, Indiana
Accident Location
- City: Boonville
- State: Indiana
- Latitude: 38.042483
- Longitude: -87.320169
- Airport ID: I91
Aircraft Info
- N Number: N88218
- Make: Piper
- Model: J3C
- Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
- Amateur Built: No
Pilot Info
- PIC Name: Amos, Justin Michael
- Gender: Male
- Pilot Age: 38
- Pilot Hours:
- Flight School: No
- Instructional Flight: No
- Pilot Certification: Private Pilot
- IFR Rating: No
- Pilot Error: Yes
- Pilot Medical: Basic Med
- Pilot Incapacitation: No
Analysis
- Date: October 18th, 2026
- Time: 3:35 PM Local Time
- Day / Night: Day
- VMC / IMC: VMC
- Phase Of Flight: Takeoff
- Total People Onboard: 1
- PIC Fatality: 0
- PAX Fatalities: 0
- Ground Fatalities: 1
- Total Fatalities: 1
- NTSB No: CEN27LA021
- NTSB Travel: Yes
- AQP Classification: 5) BUZZING / ACRO, C-FIT
Probable Cause
DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the accident pilot did intentionally choose to make continued and repeated buzzing type low passes on this same flight. flying the full length of this field at very low altitudes. The accident carelessly and recklessly flew flew so low that his main landing gear of the accident aircraft struck an 88 year old driver vehicle of a vehicle off airport, which was travelling north on South Baker Road. The collision occurred on a public road and occupant of the vehicle died on October 22, 2026 from this impact. The accident aircraft then remained in flight for 2 hours after the impact while the accident pilot arranged emergency services to be available for his landing at the same airport with one landing gear missing, and the other badly damaged.
NTSB: NONE
Recommendation
DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and condition themselves to be aware of this type of flying, and to avoid any association with this dangerous flying cowboy type activity.
NTSB: NONE
DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.