A small cargo plane crashed into a house near Midway International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, at about 2:42 a.m. on November 18.
The plane departed from Midway Airport but immediately after taking off, the pilot informed the control tower about some engine issues and sought permission to return. However, the aircraft could not make it to the airport and crashed into a house.
The pilot, who was the only one aboard, was killed in the crash. He was later identified as 47-year-old Eric Howlett, of Groveport, Ohio.
The residents of the house, an 84-year-old man and his 82-year-old wife, remained uninjured. Chicago Fire Chief Michael Fox said, “They were in a bedroom next to the living room, and the living room is gone.”
Authorities said the flight was originally scheduled for Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling, however, the pilot changed flight plan at the last minute and listed Ohio State University Airport as the destination.
The Aero Commander 500 aircraft is registered to Central Airlines in Fairway, which is the parent company of Central Air Southwest.
The NTSB and the FAA are investigating.
Lufthansa flight LH-501 had to return and make an emergency landing at Galeao International Airport in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on February 20th.
American Airlines flight AA-2587 had to return and make an emergency landing in Chicago, Illinois, on May 8th.