TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. — The Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deadly plane crash in the area of West Lafayette.
Sheriff Bob Goldsmith confirmed to FOX59/CBS4 on Friday afternoon that deputies were called around 8 p.m. Thursday to investigate an aircraft that went down.
According to Goldsmith, deputies are investigating an area in Shelby Township along County Road 600 North just west of US 231 North.
The sheriff later confirmed that deputies arrived on scene and found a crash site. One deceased person was also found.
At this time, no other individuals have been found and it is unclear how many people were on the plane.
The sheriff’s office was unable to provide any further information. FOX59/CBS4 is working to gather more information.
Possible Purdue Aviation connection
Purdue Aviation, LLC confirmed on Friday afternoon that one of their aircraft is involved in this deadly crash.
The Purdue Exponent, the student-run newspaper at Purdue, is reporting that the crash may be linked to a plane that went missing after taking off from the campus airport Thursday night.
“Goldsmith said the Purdue airport contacted police after a plane associated with the university ‘went missing’ while in the air about 8 p.m.,” the Exponent wrote.
The paper is reporting that the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed a plane was found crashed Friday. However, it is unclear if it is the missing Purdue plane. John Davis, the associate head of undergraduate affairs at the Purdue aviation school, said the investigation is ongoing.
