Four confirmed dead in plane crash

GREENSBURG, Ind. (WTHI) - A small private plane that crashed Sunday night in Greensburg was found 1.5 miles south of the airport after 10:30 p.m., police said. The FAA has confirmed that four people were killed in the crash.

Monday morning, safety concerns were leading crews to prepare to stabilize the wreckage before further investigation, Det. Bill Meverose with the Greensburg Police Department said.

FAA investigators arrived on the scene at about 10:45 a.m. Monday.

Tipster reports crash

Sunday, the Greensburg Municipal Airport manager said he received a report that a small, private, single engine plane had crashed south of the airport.

The Decatur County Sheriff's Department first heard the report from a civilian who said he thought he saw a plane crash.

At 6:30 p.m. Sunday, the FAA called Greensburg officials to see if they were looking for a downed plane.

The pilot of the plane was communicating with flight controllers at the Indianapolis International Airport when they lost contact. The plane was two miles south of the airport in Greensburg.

The Greensburg Fire Department, Greensburg Police Department and Decatur County Sheriff's Department were searching the area for the plane.

Indiana State Police wanted to launch a helicopter for the search, but due to fog in the area they were unable to. So instead, crews searched a grid south of the airport on ATVs. Six teams made up of six to eight people searched the area. Surrounding counties were also assisting.

The plane was heading back to Greensburg from Destin, Fla., officials said.

No information on the victims' identities had been released as of Monday morning, but the plane, a Piper Malibu Mirage six-seater, tail number N 92315, was registered to Donald Horan of Greensburg, according to plane records.