Man flies stolen plane into his own home after arrest for domestic violence

 The incident happened at around 2.30am on Monday morning

A US man stole a small plane and flew it into his own home following an argument with his wife.

Duane Youd, from Utah, is believed to have stolen the propeller plane from his employer before embarking on an apparent suicide mission to kill his partner.

Youd, an experienced pilot, died after the plane slammed into the front of the two-storey detached home in Payson, a town 60 miles south of Salt Lake City at around 2.30am on Monday morning.

His wife and a child who were present at the time survived the blast, Sergeant Noemi Sandoval said.

It is unknown if the child in the house was related to the couple, police say.

Just hours earlier, Youd had been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence after the couple decided to meet up to discuss their marital problems.

Police were called to the scene at 7.30pm after witnesses saw Youd being physically abusive towards his wife and booked him into jail, Utah County Sheriff's Sergeant Spencer Cannon said.

 Duane Youd had a prior conviction for domestic violence, police say

After being released on bail, Youd requested a police escort to his home where he gathered his belongings and took his pick-up truck from the driveway without incident, police said.

Just hours later, Youd took off from nearby Spanish Fork-Springville Airport and navigated the stolen aircraft in the direction of his neighbourhood, 15 miles away.

Dramatic photos show the charred wreckage of the white plane which had disintegrated on impact.

Most of the home was still intact but the front was badly damaged from the impact and resulting fire.

 The incident happened in Payson, Utah

Youd had one prior conviction of domestic violence, police say.

Online records reveal that Youd had agreed to attend marriage counselling for six months as part of a plea following his conviction of domestic battery and disorderly conduct on April 8.