A tragic accident involving a small private plane claimed the lives of all four individuals on board in a rural area of Central Illinois. The incident took place on Saturday, April 19, 2025, just after 10:00 a.m. local time.
Details of the Crash
According to reports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a Cessna 180 crashed in a field near County Line Road in Trilla, which is part of Coles County. This location is situated southeast of Mattoon, close to Coles County Memorial Airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed to ABC News that the single-engine aircraft collided with power lines prior to the crash. However, the definitive cause of the incident is still under investigation.
Victims Identified and Community Reactions
Illinois State Police have reported the identities of the victims. They were Ross Nelson, aged 46; Raimi Rundle, 45; Courtney Morrow, 36; and Michael Morrow, 48, all residents of Menomonie, Wisconsin. Authorities pronounced them dead at the scene.
According to a police news release, the wreckage remained at the crash site until approximately 5:00 p.m. local time on Sunday.
In a related tweet, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker expressed condolences and emphasized the importance of following official guidance during this tragic time. He described the accident as “terrible,” adding:
“My administration is monitoring the situation as we keep those impacted by the plane crash in our thoughts today.”
The Governor also took a moment to thank first responders for their rapid action in dealing with the aftermath of the incident.
Eyewitness Account
Kynnedi Goldstein, a local resident, recounted her experience to CBS News Chicago, recalling:
“I was sitting in my room, and I was getting ready to turn a show on, and all of a sudden I hear this noise. It’s like the whole ‘boom’.”
Goldstein reported that the power went out immediately after the crash noise. Upon activating their generator, she observed a significant cloud of smoke rising from the crash site, which she later captured in a video shared with ABC News.
Recent Aviation Incidents
This tragedy follows another Cessna 180 crash that occurred in Nebraska, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. Earlier in April, six people lost their lives in a plane crash in upstate New York, while just days prior, a separate incident in Boca Raton, Florida, claimed three lives when a plane crashed on a busy street.
According to data from Clifford Law Office, which analyzed aviation accidents and referenced the NTSB database, Cessna models accounted for a significant portion of crashes between 1982 and 2018.
Ongoing Investigation
The NTSB is conducting a thorough investigation into the Illinois crash, with support from the FAA. Teams from both agencies have been dispatched to the scene for documentation and examination of the aircraft. The damaged plane will be transported to a secure location for a comprehensive analysis.
The NTSB indicated that their investigation will encompass various factors, including the pilot’s experience, the aircraft’s condition, and the operational environment during the crash. This will involve scrutinizing communication records, weather conditions at the crash time, and the pilot’s certification details.
As of now, no additional updates have been made available.