Pilot killed after small plane crashes behind Deerfield townhomes

Pilot dies in single-engine plane crash in Deerfield

A pilot died in a small plane crash Wednesday night in Lake County.

DEERFIELD, Ill. - A pilot was killed when a small plane crashed behind a row of townhomes Wednesday night in unincorporated Deerfield.

What we know:

Deputies with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 9:45 p.m. to the 800 block of Swallow Street after receiving reports of a downed aircraft.

Responders arriving with the Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District found a single-engine aircraft that had crashed behind several homes. Authorities said the pilot was the only person on board and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators said the aircraft struck the roof area of one of the townhomes and hit two gas meters, causing a small gas leak that was later brought under control. Officials with Nicor Gas responded to the scene.

Authorities said the pilot appeared to avoid causing major structural damage to the homes, and no injuries were reported among people on the ground.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane was a Cessna T210 that had taken off from Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin, and was headed to Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling.

First responders were expected to remain at the scene overnight as investigators worked to determine what caused the crash. 

The pilot was later identified as Chester Wojnicki, 75, of Mount Prospect. An autopsy revealed that Wojnicki died as a result of the crash.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are assisting in the investigation.