1 dead in small plane crash in suburban Chicago

[November 21, 2011]  ELGIN (AP) -- Authorities are investigating a small plane crash in suburban Chicago that left the pilot dead.

Kane County sheriff's spokesman Patrick Gengler says the plane crashed around 1:30 p.m. Sunday at a private airport near the suburb of Elgin.

Gengler says the single-engine plane was trying to take off when it crashed. The pilot was the only person in the aircraft and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was identified as 69-year-old Frank Kehoe of Hampshire.

Authorities say Kehoe was an experienced pilot. It was not clear where he was headed when the crash happened.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Lynn Lunsford confirms the death. He says the FAA is investigating, but did not immediately have further details.

[Associated Press]

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