INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A plane crash on July 30 claimed the life of 44-year-old pilot Anh-Thu Nguyen, a Purdue University graduate.
Nguyen was the sole occupant of her small aircraft, which went down shortly after taking off from Indy South Greenwood Airport around 10:45 a.m. The NTSB report indicates the plane, a fixed-wing, single-engine Lancair IVP, crashed behind a gas station on Main Street in Greenwood, approximately 3 miles from the airport.
Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft stall and spiral before descending rapidly. According to the NTSB, the engine readings remained steady during takeoff until the point of impact. Emergency responders received multiple 911 calls describing the plane's downfall, with one indicating it “dropped straight out of the sky.”
The NTSB has not yet determined the crash's cause but will provide a final report upon completion of their investigation.
Nguyen was a passionate advocate for women in aviation and founded Asian Women in Aerospace & Aviation, aiming to inspire the next generation of female pilots and engineers. Her legacy includes establishing the Dragon Training Academy in Florida, where she served as a flight instructor. She is survived by her husband, Raphael Schütz, and family members.