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ROCKFORD Illnois} -- A 42-year-old pilot was killed early this morning when his Cessna 208D single engine cargo aircraft crashed near the Greater Rockford Airport.
Rescue personnel rushed to the scene near the SM & SF clubhouse shortly after 2 a.m. but found a plane broken into several pieces after crashing into trees on the edge of an open field. They found the pilot lying outside the aircraft.
Officials have identified the pilot as Donald Emmons, 42, of Montgomery.
Emmons worked for a Chicago company that was flying small package for United Parcel Service (UPS). He was approaching the Greater Rockford Airport when he crashed. UPS has removed all of the packages from the accident scene.
Officials are not allowing reporters or photographers anywhere near the crash site. Airport director Bob O'Brien said he didn't know if the airplane was in contact with Rockford's air traffic control tower prior to the crash.
The Federal Aviation Authority and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash.
Although a fatal airplane accident has not happened at the airport in at least 20 years, there have been several planes crashing close to or just after taking off.
Rescue personnel rushed to the scene near the SM & SF clubhouse shortly after 2 a.m. but found a plane broken into several pieces after crashing into trees on the edge of an open field. They found the pilot lying outside the aircraft.
Officials have identified the pilot as Donald Emmons, 42, of Montgomery.
Emmons worked for a Chicago company that was flying small package for United Parcel Service (UPS). He was approaching the Greater Rockford Airport when he crashed. UPS has removed all of the packages from the accident scene.
Officials are not allowing reporters or photographers anywhere near the crash site. Airport director Bob O'Brien said he didn't know if the airplane was in contact with Rockford's air traffic control tower prior to the crash.
The Federal Aviation Authority and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash.
Although a fatal airplane accident has not happened at the airport in at least 20 years, there have been several planes crashing close to or just after taking off.