News Small plane crashes on top of Naperville XSport
Couple on their way to Pittsburgh suffered broken bones, lacerations
WGN News
October 7, 2010
NAPERVILLE, Ill. — 67-year-old Lloyd McKee and his wife Maureen were flying their Piper Lancer aircraft on Wednesday when it crashed into the roof of a building in Naperville.
The couple was flying to Pittsburgh when the seven seat airplane crashed into the roof of XSport Fitness on Route 59 and 75th Street, Naperville Fire Department said.
The McKee's have broken bones and lacerations. They will stay in the hospital for observation for the next two days, according to a spokesperson.
Witnesses say they heard the engine sputtering before the crash. The Naper Aero Board President says if they plane's engine failed the pilot's only option is to fly straight. Banking the plane would cause it to dive to the ground.
A man inside heard the building shake before everyone was told to evacuate. There were 280 people inside the gym.
No one on the ground was hurt.
The FAA is investigating the cause. Investigators removed parts of the plane from the building early this morning.
Records indicate McKee has been registered with the FAA since at least 2000 and is rated to pilot single-engine planes and to fly on instruments. A neighbor said he was an experienced pilot.
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