Champaign Family Dies In Plane Crash In Rantoul

RANTOUL - Crews are investigating a plane crash that killed all three of its passengers in Rantoul.

It happened near Tuskegee Avenue and Century Boulevard just south of the airport.

Police say the plane had just taken off from there a little after 9:00 this morning.

The Champaign County Coroner hasn't released the victims' names.

But friends of the family tell us the three are pilot Jon Buerkett, his wife Dana, and their 19 year old daughter Morgan of Champaign.

The FAA'S website says the plane is registered in Buerkett's name.

Fire fighters and the coroner were assessing the damage this morning.

Witnesses say the single engine plane was engulfed in flames before crews arrived.

Investigators aren't sure what caused it to crash.

Those who saw the accident believe weather played a factor.

They say it was windy outside when the plane hit the ground.    

"It was like a 100, 200 feet of just solid flames come down. I thought some tension wire come down, then shortly after that we found out a plane hit the tension wires," said Terence Rissky who was staying at a nearby camp ground.

There were several power lines down near the crash site.

Crews were working to fix them throughout the morning.

Police couldn't confirm if the plane hit the power lines before crashing, but they did say the lines were down because of the crash.

The FAA has taken over the investigation.

A memorial will be held for the Buerkett's Monday night.

It's at 5:00pm at St. Thomas More High School in Champaign.

The family is survived by their oldest daughter Ashley.

Fellow pilot and family friend Tom Frasca tells us the Buerkett's were on their way to Florida from Rantoul.

He says Jon was an accomplished pilot and maintained his plane very well.

Frasca says the Buerkett's were wonderful people.