Pilot killed in Deerfield plane crash, Lake County, Illinois, officials confirm

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.

Officials said the pilot was the only occupant at the time of the crash. The pilot has not been identified.

The FAA 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. 

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash.