NTSB releases preliminary findings into plane crash that killed 4 in Coles Co.

(WAND) - The National Transportation Safety Board has released preliminary findings into the plane crash that killed 4 people in Coles County.

On April 19, a Cessna 180 crashed near Trilla, Illinois, resulting in the death of all four people on board, including the pilot.

An aviation investigation revealed that the aircraft departed from its home base in Menomonie, Wisconsin, on April 16. It was en route to Muhlenberg County Airport (M21) in Greenville, Kentucky, where the pilot purchased 42 gallons of 100 low-lead aviation fuel. After refueling, the pilot continued the flight to John C. Tune Airport (JWN) in Nashville, Tennessee.

On the day of the accident, the pilot returned to M21 to retrieve a purse that a passenger had inadvertently left at the airport during a previous visit. Before departing northbound, the pilot purchased an additional 12.81 gallons of aviation fuel.

Data from the Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) showed that the airplane was heading toward Mattoon, Illinois.

According to the NTSB, a witness reported that he was on a roof performing repairs when he heard an airplane overhead. He described the engine sound as “unusually low,” similar to that of a “crop duster.” The engine noise increased, as if the airplane was trying to climb at the end of a low pass. He then heard an explosion and saw a fireball beyond the tree line. The witness also noted that it had recently stopped raining, but it was "misting" at the time of the accident.

Surveillance video from a location near the accident site showed weather conditions that included overcast clouds and light rain.

The aircraft crashed about 8 nautical miles south of Coles County Memorial Airport in Mattoon, Illinois, striking power lines approximately 35 feet high before hitting the ground.

The debris path extended about 100 feet on a 227° (southwest) magnetic heading, and the wreckage was heavily fragmented. The engine was discovered partially buried in a 3-foot deep crater and was severely damaged from the impact.

The investigation confirmed that flight control continuity was maintained for all flight control surfaces, with breaks indicating tension overload.

The NTSB has not indicated if they have found a cause for the crash.