Single engine plane crashes in US’ Illinois, all 4 on board killed

Coles County Coroner Ed Schniers confirmed the casualties in the incident, and said that the victims were two women and two men without providing any further details of identification pending notification of next of kin.

The Illinois State Police said that it was “an active and ongoing fatal aircraft investigation.” The single engine Cessna C180G airplane went down at about 10:15am near the unincorporated community of Trilla, which is about 65 miles south of Champaign.

Terrible news out of Coles County.

My administration is monitoring the situation as we keep those impacted by the plane crash in our thoughts today.

Thank you to the first responders who rushed to the scene.

Please follow the guidance of officials as they provide assistance.

— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) April 19, 2025

The Illinois State Police further added that the debris of the plane was scattered on the roadway, which remained shut several hours after the deadly crash took place.

The incident occurred a dozen miles from the Coles County Memorial Airport in Mattoon, Illinois, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said, as per New York Times.

JUST IN: At least 4 people killed in plane crash in Trilla, Illinois. – Citizen pic.twitter.com/7ZoYeyuxZF

— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) April 19, 2025

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), preliminary investigation suggests the plane had struck power lines, Associated Press reported.

The NTSB and FAA are investigating the crash which took the lives of four individuals aboard the plane.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, in a post on social media, condoled the death and said “Terrible news out of Coles County. My administration is monitoring the situation as we keep those impacted by the plane crash in our thoughts today. Thank you to the first responders who rushed to the scene. Please follow the guidance of officials as they provide assistance.”

At least nine people have been killed in small plane crashes in the past week.