Crop Duster Crash Kills Pilot Near Oregon, IL
A crop duster slammed into power lines and crashed Tuesday morning near the Ogle County Airport, killing the pilot on impact.
The small plane went down around 9:36 a.m. in a cornfield just north of Route 64, close to the Aframe Family Greenhouse between Oregon and Mt. Morris. The pilot didn’t survive. Authorities haven’t released the name yet.
Mt. Morris firefighters got there within minutes. “The plane was upside down and on fire when we arrived,” said Fire Chief Rob Hough. Crews knocked the flames down fast and identified the chemicals inside the aircraft.
The crash took out seven power poles and cut electricity to nearby homes and businesses. Comcast/Xfinity service also dropped. Even radio signals went out briefly.
Deputies shut down Route 64 in both directions. Drivers heading west had to turn off at Rock Road; eastbound traffic stopped at Ridge Road. ComEd workers showed up in the afternoon to replace poles and fix downed lines. The road will stay closed until they finish.
A customer inside the greenhouse heard the crash and looked out to see the wreckage just 25 yards away.
The nearby airport has one grass runway that runs parallel to the highway.
Sheriff Brian VanVickle said the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. Their arrival may be delayed due to other incidents and the large aviation event in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Chief Hough said the crash could’ve been worse. “If that plane had come down just a little farther, it might’ve hit a car.”
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