UNINCORPORATED DEERFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — A pilot was killed in a small plane crash behind some townhomes in unincorporated Deerfield Wednesday night, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said.
The crash occurred at about 9:45 p.m. in the 800-block of Swallow Street.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
The Cessna T210 departed Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin, and was headed to Chicago Executive Airport, the FAA said.
It is unclear why the plane went down. Federal aviation officials are expected to arrive at the scene Thursday to investigate.
Witnesses said the plane struck the roof area of one of the townhomes as well as two gas meters before crashing – killing the pilot who was the only person on board.
“My living room faces out the back and the building started shaking. And we heard this boom, boom, boom and I got up, looked outside and there was no smoke, there was no fire,” witness Jackie Dubow said.
“Unknown what contributed to the crash, however, there is heavy fog this evening,” Chris Covelli with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department said.
No one on the ground was hurt, the sheriff’s office said. There was a small gas leak but no major damage to any of the townhomes.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office will assist with the investigation.
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.