N24157Funk B85C · 1940

On November 4, 2025, about 12:45 eastern standard time, a Funk B85C airplane, N24157 was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Anderson, Indiana. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.

The airplane departed a private grass airfield (II26) in Wolcott, Indiana, earlier on the day of the accident and was enroute to Anderson Regional Airport (AID), Anderson, Indiana. The airplane was recently purchased, and the pilot was flying the airplane to AID for the new owner. A video was taken of the airplane departing II26 for AID. No anomalies were noted with the airplane during the takeoff or departure.

An air traffic controller at the AID tower stated that the pilot reported that he was 10 miles from AID inbound for landing. The controller told the pilot to report a 2 mile final approach for runway 12. The pilot read back the request to report a 2 mile final for runway 12. The controller did not have any further contact with the pilot. The controller stated that the pilot did not seem to be in distress during the radio communications.

A witness standing in his yard at the time of the accident said that he saw the airplane fly northbound along County Road 100 West in Anderson, Indiana. The witness reported that the airplane then turned sharply to the west and then to south before it landed in a dirt field adjacent to his property. The witness stated that he thought he heard the engine popping or backfiring during the landing sequence. According to the witness, once the airplane landed, it continued to roll in a relatively straight line until it impacted a tree in his front yard. The witness said that the engine was not running during the landing rollout, but the propeller was spinning. The witness also stated that he could see the pilot, and the pilot’s eyes were open, and both of his hands were on the yoke.

After the airplane impacted the tree, a fire ignited. The witness stated that flames were coming out of the broken windshield. The witness obtained a fire extinguisher and started to extinguish the fire. People traveling on County Road 100 West stopped their vehicles and assisted in extinguishing the fire and extracting the pilot from the airplane. When asked if there was smoke or fire coming from the airplane prior to the airplane impacting the tree, the witness said there was none.

The airplane landed on a heading of about 179°. A divot in the field consistent with the size and shape of the tailwheel, marked the area where the airplane touched down. From the initial touchdown point to the tree was a single set of tire tracks. The airplane traveled about 835 ft from where it first touched down until it impacted the tree.

The front of the airplane was crushed, and tree bark was embedded in the # 3 engine cylinder. The propeller was straight and undamaged. It did not exhibit any curling or polishing. The firewall and cabin were thermally damaged. The mixture was in the full- rich position, and the throttle was partially out. The ignition was in the “both” position. Fuel selector position prior to the accident could not be determined due to the fuel selector breaking free during the impact sequence. Fuel was dripping from the fuel line attached to the fuel selector. Postaccident, about 7 gallons of fuel was drained from the airplane’s sole fuel tank.

The elevator and ailerons moved freely when the yoke was manipulated. The rudder moved freely when the rudder pedals were depressed. The brakes on both the left and right main wheels activated when the brakes were depressed.

The wings were still attached to the fuselage; however, the ribs and spars on the inboard side of both wings were cracked. The cloth fabric on the wings was rippled and wrinkled.

The #1 and #3 engine cylinders had damaged fins consistent with damage received during the impact sequence, and the #3 cylinder was displaced aft. The engine case was cracked near the #1 and #3 cylinders consistent with impact damage. The interior of all 4 cylinders was examined with a borescope, and no anomalies were noted. Thumb compressions were obtained on all 4 cylinders. All 8 spark plugs were found to be normal when tested against the Champion Aviation Check-A-Plug chart. Both the left and right magnetos fired when tested. The oil filter screen was clear of debris and the oil dipstick read “full.” The gascolator screen was clean and free of debris, and the gascolator was full of fuel. The fuel inside the gascolator was tested for water utilizing Kolor Kut Water Finding Paste®. No water was detected. The carburetor screen was clean and free of debris, and there was fuel in the carburetor bowl.

The airplane was retained for further examination.