Asia-Pacific

Small plane crashes near suburban Chicago airport

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-01-06 06:09

WHEELING, Ill.: A small cargo jet crashed into a forest preserve Tuesday shortly after being cleared to land at a suburban Chicago airport, officials said, but there was no immediate word on the cause of the crash or the condition of the occupants.

The Learjet went down along the Des Plaines River about 1:30 p.m. after being cleared for visual approach to Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling, about 15 miles northwest of Chicago, the Federal Aviation Administration said. A pilot and co-pilot were believed to be on board, but it was unclear if there were other passengers, FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Cory said in a recorded phone message.

She said the plane crashed in Glenview, about one mile south of the airport. Firefighters and divers were responding to the scene.

Officials had no additional details, but photos posted on the Web site of WBBM-AM in Chicago showed crumpled chunks of the jet along the bank of the Des Plaines River, and a reporter said there were no signs of movement at the scene.

The FAA said the jet, made in 1977, was registered to the Waterford, Mich.-based Royal Air Freight, but did not immediately know where it had originated. A woman who answered the phone at the company declined to comment.