An Altoona man was found dead Thursday morning after an ultralight aircraft he was piloting crashed in an Indiana County corn field.
The body of David Edward Wittmer, 75, and his aircraft were found at about 10:30 a.m. along Coal Run Road in Young Township, less than one mile from the field where he had taken off Wednesday, reportedly between 6 and 6:30 p.m.
The crash site was discovered by a member of the Pennsylvania State Police Aviation Patrol Unit during a search for Wittmer and his craft that began overnight.
First responders determined that Wittmer had died, and his next-of-kin has been notified, police said.
Police do not suspect foul play and are investigating the incident as an accidental death. The Indiana County Coroner’s Office is assisting.
The Federal Aviation Administration also has been notified.
According to police, Wittmer was reported missing when he failed to return after taking off in the craft from a field that is used as a landing strip near Church Street in the vicinity of the village of McIntyre.
Police said Wittmer was practicing touch-and-go landings at the field.
A touch-and-go is a typical flight training maneuver that helps a pilot master takeoffs and landings. The pilot lands and then increases power to immediately take off again.
Coal Run/McIntyre Volunteer Fire Department assisted in the search.
Searchers initially located Wittmer’s truck near the landing strip. His cellphone was found inside a nearby camper he was using, police said.
A description of the aircraft wasn’t immediately available.