The pilot that died Wednesday afternoon in a plane crash near Muncie has been positively identified, according to the Indiana State Police.
David J. Eyde, 43, of Ada, Mich., was identified through dental records by Randolph County Corner Duane Petry, according to the press release.
The single-engine M20M Mooney was registered to Eyde, leading many to believe he was the pilot. But, the coroner's identification was the first time it was confirmed by authorities.
It may take six to eight weeks to determine the cause of death, according to the release.
Air traffic controllers noticed the plane flying erratically Wednesday morning and the pilot, now identified as Eyde, did not respond to radio communications.
The plane took off from Grand Rapids, Mich., traveled to Traverse City, Mich., and started to fly back to Grand Rapids. However, when the plane started to act odd somewhere on its return flight, the Federal Aviation Administration contacted the military about the plane's behavior.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command dispatched F-16 jet fighters to investigate. The aircraft followed the plane to its crash location in Randolph County, according to the FAA.
Officials say Eyde may have lost consciousness from lack of oxygen. The craft reached an altitude of 23,000 feet at one point of its journey, well above FAA regulations requiring supplemental oxygen.
NORAD said shooting down the plane was always an option, although it has never been done over United States airspace. A spokesperson from the organization said leaders in NORAD and other agencies were consulted, but was unsure if the decision went as high as President Barack Obama, according to The Associated Press.
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