Picture Credits: CBS News
Illinois, USA: A small plane crash in rural Illinois claimed the lives of four individuals from Menomonie, Wisconsin, on the morning of Saturday, April 19. The single-engine Cessna 180 went down at approximately 10:15 a.m. near East Trilla Road and Church Street, on the border of Coles and Cumberland counties, about 10 miles south of Mattoon and roughly a dozen miles from Coles County Memorial Airport.
Illinois State Police identified the victims as Ross Nelson, 46; Raimi Rundle, 45; Courtney Morrow, 36; and Michael Morrow, 48. All four were pronounced dead at the scene. The aircraft crashed into a field beside the roadway, leaving debris scattered across the area. The roadway remained closed until around 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 20, while recovery operations and initial investigations were conducted.
Eyewitness Accounts and Early Findings
Eyewitness Kynnedi Goldstein, who lives near the crash site, recounted the terrifying moment: “I go out to our sunroom, and I look and there’s a huge pile of smoke. You couldn’t even tell it was a plane at all.” She also reported a momentary power outage at her home, which aligns with preliminary findings from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) that the plane may have struck power lines before hitting the ground.
Emergency response to the crash involved multiple agencies, including the Coles County Sheriff’s Department, Mattoon Police and Fire Departments, and Lincolnwood Fire Department. Illinois State Police Troop 7 were among the first on the scene.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the NTSB are leading the investigation into the cause of the crash. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days. As part of standard procedure, investigators will examine flight track data, air traffic control recordings, weather conditions, aircraft maintenance records, and the pilot’s recent flight experience. They will also review witness statements, any available surveillance footage, and electronic devices for relevant data.
Community Mourning and Tributes
Picture Credits: Breakout Stories
Back in Menomonie, the tragedy has deeply shaken the community. Family and friends remember Ross Nelson as a passionate outdoorsman and dependable friend, Raimi Rundle for her kindness and community spirit, and the Morrows — a devoted couple for their warmth and dedication to both career and family.
“Each of them brought something special to our town,” said a family friend. “Their loss leaves a hole that words simply cannot fill.” A vigil is being planned in Menomonie to honor the victims, and grief counseling services have been made available to support those affected.
Governor JB Pritzker expressed his condolences on social media, writing, “My administration is monitoring the situation as we keep those impacted by the plane crash in our thoughts today. Thank you to the first responders who rushed to the scene.”
This incident is part of a troubling string of small aircraft crashes across the U.S. in recent weeks. Despite this, aviation experts continue to emphasize that flying remains one of the safest forms of transportation.
Stay tuned to Aviation Today for more such news!
