Pilot killed in Deerfield, Illinois plane crash
A pilot was killed after a plane crash in north suburban Deerfield, Illinois, on Wednesday night.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office said a Cessna 210M airplane crashed behind a row of townhomes in the 800 block of Swallow Street around 9:45 p.m. The plane struck the roof of one of the townhomes and two gas meters.
A small gas leak was contained after Nicor Gas officials responded to the scene. Some neighbors reported damage to their back porches.
Officials said the pilot was the only occupant at the time of the crash. He was identified as Chester Wojnicki, 75, of Mount Prospect.
An autopsy determined Wojnicki died of blunt force injuries from the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the plane took off from Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin, and was heading to Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling, Illinois. Officials said there were no distress signals sent in from the pilot.
Airport officials in Wheeling confirmed the aircraft lost contact with their tower before the crash was reported.
Lake County officials said "the pilot was able to avoid causing major damage to any of the homes," and no other injuries were reported.
A neighbor told CBS News Chicago he tried to check on the pilot after the crash, but the "cockpit was destroyed." He said he found the pilot's jacket and phone.
"I just hope they know they saved all of us," the neighbor said.
Other neighbors said it was a miracle no one else was hurt.
"There are hundreds of units here, meaning thousands of people. So, it's very, very fortunate that the lord was watching over us last night," said one neighbor named Kathy.
Neighbors said planes have been flying over this area for decades.
"For 50 years, planes have been flying over this area, and it's quite amazing that something hasn't happened before," Kathy said.
After Wednesday night, the sound of planes overhead might feel a little different.
"You don't expect it, but now it's going to be in my mind every time I hear a plane," neighbor Michelle Cooper said.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board were investigating the cause of the crash.