Authorities have reported that two men and two women from Menomonie, Wisconsin were killed in a small plane crash Saturday morning along the Coles-Cumberland county line.
The Coles County Sheriff’s Office reported Sunday morning that the Illinois State Police has confirmed that the passengers on the plane were from Menomonie, Wisconsin. Their names are still being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
“The investigation remains active, please continue to avoid the area. County Line Road remains closed,” the Sheriff’s Office reported regarding the investigation that is being conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.
Coles County Coroner Ed Schniers confirmed Saturday evening that two men and two women were killed in the crash and that they were the only passengers on this airplaine.
Reports of the crash along the County Line Road between U.S. 45 and Trilla, about nine miles south of Mattoon, came in around 10:15 a.m. Saturday, according to Illinois State Police. The Sheriff’s Office has reported that wreckage was on the roadway.
Trilla resident Curt Goldstein said he was driving home on County Road 1400N Saturday morning when he encountered the crash scene, and was shocked when he saw an airplane wing and realized it was an airplane in the roadway.
“The road was impassable. You couldn’t get through it,” Goldstein said, adding that the plane had struck power lines as it hit the ground. “The airplane was just shattered.”
Goldstein said he saw the remains of two fatalities of the airplane crash and later was told two others on the plane lost their lives. He said his mother, who lives nearby, heard a sputtering sound before the impact of the crash.
The crash also caused power outages in nearby Trilla. About 80 customers were without power for several hours Saturday, according to Ameren Illinois, but power was restored by early Saturday evening.
