Small Plane Crash in illinois Leaves One Dead, Two Injured
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A small plane crashed in a field north of I-72 near Griggsville, Illinois, on December 18, 2025, resulting in one fatality and injuries to two others. The aircraft, a single-engine plane, was traveling from Anniston, Alabama, with a planned destination of Quincy, Illinois, but diverted due to fog.
Flight Details and Reported Issues
According to preliminary reports, the flight originated at Valkaria, Florida, Airport. The pilot, identified as Schieferdecker, made several stops during the journey:
* A 57-minute flight from Valkaria, Florida, Airport to Tampa Executive Airport.
* A 53-minute flight from Tampa back to Valkaria.
* A 4-hour and 15-minute flight from Valkaria to Anniston, Alabama, Regional Airport.
* The final, fatal flight from Anniston to pittsfield Penstone Municipal Airport, with a diversion attempt to Quincy, Illinois.
While in Anniston, the pilot refueled with 36 gallons of fuel and reported a fuel-related issue before departing. WGEM reported that investigators found only a very small amount of fuel remaining at the crash site.
Crash Location and Response
The plane crashed around 9:40 p.m. in a field north of I-72 west of Exit 35 near Griggsville, Illinois. A Pike county sheriff’s deputy responding to the incident located a passenger walking along the interstate. The deputy then discovered the wreckage a short time later.
The sheriff’s office confirmed three people were on board. Two passengers were transported to area hospitals for treatment, and one individual was pronounced dead at the scene. The names of those involved have not yet been released pending notification of families.
Examination underway
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation. Authorities are focusing on the reported fuel issue and the decision to divert the flight due to fog. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will likely lead the investigation, examining flight data, maintenance records, and whether conditions to determine the contributing factors. NTSB typically releases a preliminary report within a few weeks, followed by a more complete final report months later.
Key Takeaways
* A plane crash near griggsville, Illinois, on December 18, 2025, resulted in one death and two injuries.
* The flight originated in Florida, with stops in Tampa and Anniston, Alabama.
* The pilot reported a fuel issue in Anniston and investigators found very little fuel at the crash site.
* The plane diverted from its intended landing in Quincy, Illinois, due to fog.
* An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.
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