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Crystal Lake plane crash victims identified

The McHenry County Coroner's office today identified the two men who died Monday when their plane crashed shortly after takeoff from the Lake in the Hills airport.

David A. Burdine, 51, of Barrington and Steven M. Hildebrand, 49, of Fox River Grove were in the fixed wing single-engine plane when it crashed shortly before 2 p.m. into a 450-acre conservation area near Ackman and Randall roads in Crystal Lake.

The plane reportedly experienced difficulty shortly after taking off from the Lake in the Hills airport, according to a news release from the McHenry County Conservation District.

Witnesses said the plane made a hard left before crashing into the wooded area, according to the release.

Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Board are heading up the investigation.

More on the Yak-52

Two men were killed when their small plane crashed Monday. ABC 7 Chicago
David Burdine piloted a Yak52 out of the Lake in the Hills airport almost a year ago in this photo. Burdine and Steve Hildebrand were killed Monday in a crash of a plane of this type. Brian Hill | Staff Photographer