LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The pilot and sole occupant of a small plane that crashed in Indiana last week has been identified as a Purdue University student from Minnesota.
A news release from the Tippecanoe County coroners office identifies the victim as 20-year-old Alexander Foss from Maple Grove. Foss was identified by using DNA processed by the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division.
WTHR News reports that the single-engine Piper PA-28 crashed near the Purdue University Airport around 8 p.m. Thursday, April 11, but the wreckage wasn't discovered until the following afternoon.
Investigators confirm that the pilot, now identified as Alexander Foss, was the only person on board. Coroner Carrie Costello says Foss died of multiple blunt force injuries associated with the crash.
Costello said her office, the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration continue investigating the fatal crash.
“Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family, friends, and the Purdue University community at this difficult time," the coroner said in a statement.
Foss was a junior majoring in aviation flight at Purdue. He had rented the aircraft from Purdue Aviation before taking off from Purdue University Airport, said Capt. John Ricks of the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office.
Purdue Aviation, LLC, is not affiliated with Purdue University.
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