Lancair 320, N431M, accident occurred on October 4, 2025, near Huron, Indiana

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N431M

- History of Flight:
On October 4, 2025, at about 2120 local time, a Lancair 320, N431M, registered to B & B Flying LLC out of Huntingburg, IN, was destroyed when it impacted heavily wooded terrain near Huron, Indiana. The sole pilot onboard sustained serious injuries. The cross-country flight originated from Indianapolis Regional Airport (MQJ/KMQJ), Indianapolis, Indiana, and was destined to Lousivlle, Kentucky.

According to preliminary Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data, at about 2050, the airplane departed MKQJ, headed south, and entered a climb to an inflight altitude of 4,300 ft. It appears the autopilot was not used during the flight, and the airplane was cruising at 175 knots (groundspeed). At 2116:08, the airplane entered a sudden climb to 4,575 ft. At 2116:56, the airplane stopped climbing after reaching about 100 knots GS and entered a rapid descent. The airplane continued losing altitude, groundspeed, while averaging a descent rate of -1000 feet per minute (fpm). At 2120:32, the airplane was last seen at 1000 ft, 78 knots groundspeed, and an average rate of -1000 fpm.

Figure 1: End of track ran through Google Earth

According to local news, at around 2200 LT, the Louisville Airport and FAA issued a notice for a possible airplane crash near the Orange-Lawrence county lines (which matches the last ADS-B return). On October 5, 2025, at 0400 LT, the airplane was located alongside the pilot, who survived with non-life-threatening. The pilot was still inside the airplane when they were located.

- Weather:
METAR KBFR 050055Z AUTO 10003KT 10SM 20/15 A3013 RMK AO2
METAR KBFR 050115Z AUTO 12001KT 10SM 19/15 A3014 RMK AO2
METAR KBFR 050135Z AUTO 12002KT 10SM 19/15 A3014 RMK AO2

METAR KFRH 050055Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 20/14 A3013 RMK AO1
METAR KFRH 050115Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 20/14 A3014 RMK AO1
METAR KFRH 050135Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 20/14 A3014 RMK AO1

METAR KDCY 050055Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 18/15 A3012 RMK AO2 T01820153
METAR KDCY 050115Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 18/15 A3012 RMK AO2 T01750150
METAR KDCY 050135Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 17/15 A3012 RMK AO2 T01740151