I have today certified the Cause and Manner of Death for Mr. John N. McConnell, Jr. Mr. McConnell was the pilot of the aircraft that crashed in Bates County the morning of June 10, 2019.
I have received and reviewed the NTSB’s Accident Preliminary Report, which describes engine problems with Mr. McConnell’s airplane beginning with his descent to his planned destination, New Century Airport in Olathe, Kansas. As he neared Bates County, he requested to change his destination to the nearest airport, which was Butler Memorial Airport. In this approach he encountered continued difficulty with the aircraft and ultimately struck a grain bin in a field north of Butler. The aircraft overturned and fell to the ground.
An autopsy conducted the following day confirmed that Mr. McConnell died as a result of the injuries he sustained in this accident. The manner of death is Accident.
Respectfully,
Greg D. Mullinax
Coroner of Bates County
