MONROE COUNTY, Ill. — An Oklahoma father and son were killed when their small plane crashed in rural Monroe County early Friday, ending an hourslong search that began after calls of a possible aircraft accident just after 2:30 a.m., county investigators said.
Where and when the wreckage was found
Emergency crews were dispatched to the area south of Waterloo shortly after 2:30 a.m. Friday following reports of a possible plane crash. Adverse weather — including rain, low cloud cover and poor visibility — complicated early search efforts, officials said.
Responders located the wreckage near a tree line behind the Columbia Quarry near T Road just before 8 a.m., bringing an end to an hourslong multi-agency effort to find the aircraft.
Who died and where the flight departed
Investigators identified the victims as a 48-year-old man from Oklahoma, the pilot, and his 22-year-old son. Officials said the aircraft had departed from St. Louis Regional Airport in Bethalto, Illinois, and was bound for Siloam Springs Municipal Airport in Arkansas.
Weather, radar data and the ongoing investigation
Preliminary flight data indicate the plane took off into an area of developing severe weather. Local investigators said the aircraft appeared to begin a turn, possibly to avoid the storm, before entering what officials described as a descending spiral. Radar contact was then lost.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are leading the formal investigation. Monroe County authorities have said the cause of the crash has not yet been determined and the inquiry is ongoing.
Local response and rescue effort
Because of limited visibility and precipitation, the search included multiple local agencies. Officials said responders who took part in the operation included local law enforcement, volunteer and municipal firefighters, emergency medical services and emergency management personnel.
- Initial dispatch: just after 2:30 a.m. Friday.
- Wreckage located: just before 8 a.m., tree line behind Columbia Quarry near T Road.
- Departure airport: St. Louis Regional Airport in Bethalto.
- Destination: Siloam Springs Municipal Airport, Arkansas.
- Federal agencies leading investigation: FAA and NTSB.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dispatch time | Just after 2:30 a.m., Friday |
| Wreckage found | Just before 8 a.m., Friday |
| Victims | 48-year-old pilot; 22-year-old son (both from Oklahoma) |
| Origin / Destination | St. Louis Regional (Bethalto) → Siloam Springs Municipal (Ark.) |
Officials said they later learned the pilot and his son had attended a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game before beginning their trip home. Beyond the timeline and the preliminary flight data, authorities have not released additional information about the identities of the victims or other details of the flight.
This is an active investigation. The FAA and NTSB will continue to examine radar and flight data, wreckage and other evidence to determine probable cause. Monroe County authorities asked anyone with information to contact the sheriff’s department through their established channels.
For residents in the area and those who may have observed anything overnight, local officials advise preserving any potential evidence — such as photos, video or dashcam footage — and offering it to investigators if requested.
Grace Kowalski is the Illinois correspondent for News Block.
