A small plane crashed into a house on Chicago's Southwest Side early this morning, reports NBC Chicago, coming as close as eight inches to the sleeping residents inside. The elderly couple is unhurt. The pilot was killed in the crash.
The pilot departed from Midway International Airport at around 2:30 a.m. toward Ohio State University Airport, and soon after reported engine problems, says NBC. He was attempting to return his Aero Commander 500 to Midway when he went down a quarter-mile from its departing runway at 2:42 a.m.
The plane heavily damaged the home, and two homes near the crash site were evacuated as a precaution, says NBC. Fire officials say some fuel was leaking from the plane, but it did not reach an ignition source, evading a potential intense fire.
National Transportation Safety Board Air Safety Investigator Tim Sorensen told NBC the condition of the aircraft indicates there was no in-flight structural failure.
Removal of the aircraft is expected to take place this afternoon once the home is stabilized.
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