Plane from Wheeling crashes in Indiana

Heavy winds are being blamed for causing a plane rented from the Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling to crash just seconds after landing at a South Bend, Indiana airport just before noon Monday, airport officials said.

Emergency crews extracted the pilot, who was conscious suffering from a broken leg, from the plane and transported him to an area hospital, according to a South Bend Airport statement.

The pilot was the only person aboard the single engine low-wing Cirrus aircraft when it crashed after touching down at the South Bend Airport, officials said.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash, which occurred at approximately 11:59 p.m., according to the airport’s statement.

The pilot remains unidentified, but the plane was registered to CanoeCouple Inc. of Skokie, records show.

The plane’s operator was from Windy City Flyers, a flight school that rents aircraft and trains pilots, according to Michael Stanard, a spokesman for the Chicago Executive Airport. The company rents space at the airport, he said.

Standard said the plane did not have any problems when taking off.

ŸDaily Herald staff writer Sheila Ahern contributed to this report.