Pilot killed when single-engine plane crashes near Deerfield

The pilot of a small plane was killed when the single-engine aircraft clipped the roof of a townhouse near Deerfield late Wednesday and crashed into the ground.

The plane’s registered owner was 75-year-old Mount Prospect resident Chester Wojnicki, according to FAA data.

Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek said Wojnicki died from blunt force injuries suffered in the crash.

Wojnicki was the president of the American Polish-Aero-Club, according to multiple published reports. He is also listed as the owner of an electrical and heating repair business based in his hometown.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, which involved a Cessna T210. No one else was on board, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The Lake County sheriff’s office said the crash happened at about 9:45 p.m. on the 800 block of Swallow Street in an unincorporated area of the county near Deerfield.

The plane also damaged two gas meters, authorities said.

No other injuries were reported.

A flight plan shows the plane departed from Madison, Wisconsin, at 8:49 p.m. Wednesday and was headed to Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling. The crash happened about 4 miles northwest of the airfield.