SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — 10:30 A.M. WEDNESDAY UPDATE:
The Sangamon County Coroner's Office has identified three victims in Tuesday's deadly plane crash.
The victims were identified as 69-year-old John Evans of Glenarm, 69-year-old Frank Edwards of Springfield, and 63-year-old Cinda Edwards of Springfield.
6:46 P.M. UPDATE:
Sangamon County Coroner Cinda Edwards and her husband, former Springfield Mayor Frank Edwards were killed in Tuesday afternoon’s plane crash in Sangamon County. The identity of the third passenger is not known.
NewsChannel 20/Fox Illinois has confirmed through multiple sources, who wished to remain anonymous, their identities.
State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) issued the following statement regarding the passing of those aboard a twin-engine Piper Aerostar that crashed outside of Springfield Tuesday afternoon, including Sangamon County Coroner Cinda Edwards and former Springfield Alderman and former Springfield Mayor Frank Edwards:
“My heart breaks for the families of those involved in this tragedy. Cinda and Frank Edwards were devoted public servants to the communities of Springfield and Sangamon County. I ask everyone to join me in sending heartfelt condolences to the Edwards family.”
5:49 P.M. UPDATE:
Video from a nearby home's Nest camera was released. In the video, the plane can be seen crashing.
5:40 P.M. UPDATE:
Three people and a dog died in Tuesday's plane crash, according to the Sangamon County Sheriff.
The Sangamon County Sheriff says the airport tower and pilot recorded that the plane was having trouble due to the weather and the plane's instruments prior to impact.
Sheriff Jack Campbell says no one was able to approach the plane at first due to the flames.
The FAA currently has control of the scene.
As soon as the FAA releases the scene, the Sangamon County Coroner's Office will then be allowed to make a positive identification of the plane crash victims.
Rochester Police Department was the first on the scene.
If you saw or heard anything about the plane before or after the crash, you're encouraged to contact the Sangamon County Sheriff's office at 217-753-6666.
At this time, officials are not able to make an identification from the bodies.
4:48 P.M. UPDATE:
The plane originally took off from Florida's Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport.
The plane stopped in Huntsville, Alabama around 12:20 p.m. Tuesday to get gas before heading to Springfield's Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport.
It crashed when it was attempting to land at the Springfield airport and missed two houses before impact.
4:25 P.M. UPDATE:
The Federal Aviation Administration sent the following message in regards to the crash:
A twin-engine Piper Aerostar went down in a field while on approach to the Springfield, IL, airport this afternoon. The plane departed from Huntsville, AL.
Please contact local officials for information about the condition of the occupants.
The FAA and NTSB will investigate. We will release a tail number after investigators verify it at the crash site.
UPDATE:
The owner of a home near the crash site says he was told about the crash about 10 minutes after 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
The Rochester Police Department, the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office, Capital Airport Safety, the Sangamon County Coroner's Office, Springfield Police, and other first responders are on the scene.
ORIGINAL:
The Springfield Airport Authority has confirmed a plane has crashed in Sangamon County.
The plane crashed in the 3100 block of White Timber Drive in Springfield.
Emergency service has been called and crash procedures are underway.
The plane was headed to Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport at the time of the crash.
We have a crew on scene. We will bring you more information as it becomes available.
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