In a tragic accident on Saturday morning, a single-engine plane crashed in Coles County, Illinois, after colliding with high-voltage power lines, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. The incident took place around 10:15 a.m. on County Line Road, near the community of Trilla, approximately 125 miles south of Chicago.
The Illinois State Police and the Coles County Sheriff's Office reported that the aircraft, identified as a Cessna 180, plummeted to the ground after striking electrical lines, landing in a nearby field. Authorities confirmed the victims were two men and two women, all from Menomonie, Wisconsin. Their names remain undisclosed pending notification of their families.
Eyewitnesses recounted hearing a loud explosion followed by a power outage in the area. Social media is flooded with images showing the burning wreckage scattered across the road. "I was in my room about to watch a show when I heard a loud 'boom.' The power flickered off and then the generator kicked in. I was like, 'What?' So, I stepped out to the sunroom and saw a huge plume of smoke. I called my friend, and we rushed to the site," Kynnedi Goldstein shared with CBS News Chicago.
Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
Debris from the crash was left strewn across County Line Road, prompting the Coles County Sheriff's office to announce that the road would remain closed at least through Sunday. Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker expressed his condolences on social media, thanking emergency teams for their swift response. This incident adds to a concerning trend of recent aviation accidents in the United States, many involving small aircraft.
Recent Aviation Tragedies Across the U.S.
Just one day before the Illinois crash, another plane went down in a Nebraska river on Friday night, claiming the lives of all three passengers. Last week, six individuals perished when their aircraft crashed into a field in Copake, New York, including Karenna Groff, a former MIT soccer player and noted scholar.
In a similar incident in Florida, a Cessna 310 crashed onto a street in Boca Raton, striking a vehicle. The three occupants of the plane died, and one person on the ground was injured.
Understanding Recent Plane Crashes
What caused the plane crash in Coles County, Illinois?
The crash was caused by the plane colliding with high-voltage power lines, leading it to crash into a nearby field.
Who were the victims in the Illinois plane crash?
The victims were two men and two women from Menomonie, Wisconsin. Their identities have not been released as authorities are notifying their families.
How are authorities responding to the crash?
The FAA and NTSB are investigating the accident to determine the exact cause, while local authorities have closed the road where debris remains.