Airplane crash kills prominent Sangamon County residents

 

[January 29, 2020]  Springfield and Sangamon County residents are grieving today. On Tuesday afternoon around 3 p.m. an aircraft crashed near Rochester killing Sangamon County Coroner, 63-year-old Cinda Edwards, her husband a former Springfield alderman, 69-year-old Frank Edwards, both of Springfield.

On Wednesday afternoon the name of the third person in the plane who also died on scene was released as 69-year-old John Evans of Glenarm. A canine onboard also died.

The pilot was in communication with Springfield Air Traffic Control and on approach reported a problem with weather and instruments. The aircraft was circling for a return approach to when it went down.

The Edwards' actively contributed in many capacities to the Springfield community for years and will be missed greatly.

Cinda Edwards served as Sangamon Coroner since 2011 using her past administrative nurse skills to restore order and trust to the department. She was a valued trustee serving a chair for the Lincoln Land Community College Board. She was also a contributor to Lincoln Land Community College, Southwinds Park, Hoogland Center for the Arts, Big Brothers Big Sisters and other Charities.

As a three-term Springfield City Council Ward 1 Alderman from 2003 - 2015, Frank Edwards also stepped in to serve a few months as mayor after the unanticipated death of Mayor Tim Davlin in 2010. He was a career fireman serving the Springfield Fire Department 25 years, retiring as chief.

The twin-engine Piper Aerostar was identified by flight plan as departing Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport in Florida around 9:33 a.m. on Tuesday. It arrived at Huntsville International Airport in Alabama around 12:18 p.m. for a brief stop. The plane departed for Huntsville for Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport at 1:02 p.m.

It was not made clear who was piloting the plane at the time of the crash. Frank Edwards was a private pilot.

A home security camera captured the plane landing and sliding through a field in back of homes in an unincorporated area southeast of Springfield. A fence blocked the view of the moment of crash, but it could be heard and seen by evidence of smoke.

The Springfield-based plane was reportedly owned by LKJ Properties.

On Wednesday morning, by law, Sheriff Jack Campbell was sworn in as temporary coroner. He will work with Chief Deputy Coroner Jim Allmon to continue the duties of the Coroner's Office.

The county board has 60 days to appoint a new coroner. Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter will nominate a candidate for board approval.

[Jan Youngquist]