Search underway after report of plane crash in Monroe County

Crews from the Waterloo Fire Department and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department were searching south of Waterloo early Friday after receiving reports of a possible aircraft crash, authorities said.

The fire department, sheriff’s deputies and Monroe County EMS were dispatched about 2:34 a.m. The agencies have been working with the Federal Aviation Administration to determine the aircraft’s last known location and narrow the search area.

Search efforts were focused in the areas of J Road, Illinois Route 156, KK Road and Sportsman Road, according to a sheriff’s department release. The aircraft is believed to be a privately owned Beechcraft Baron 55, the release said.

Multiple fire departments, law enforcement agencies, EMS crews, drone teams and aviation assets were deployed. Poor weather, including low clouds and heavy overcast, hampered aerial searches, officials said. An Illinois State Police aircraft conducted a thermal-imaging search but was unable to locate the plane because of the conditions.

A mobile command post was set up at the Silo parking lot along Illinois Route 3 south of Waterloo. Authorities asked media to stage at the Waterloo High School parking lot and urged motorists in the area to watch for emergency personnel and equipment along roadways.

The search remained active, and additional information would be released when confirmed, officials said.