US cargo jet crashes in forest

AP

WRECKAGE: Investigators look over the wreckage of a Royal Air cargo jet that crashed into the banks of the Des Plaines River in a forest preserve near Wheeling, Illinois.

Relevant offers

Americas

Grisly well find linked to 'Speed Freak Killers' 17 to hospital after hotel chemical spill Birth induced so dying dad could hold daughter 5.5 quake strikes northern California Murder trial over 2003 honeymoon diving death Obama's election-year budget to target rich Santorum takes aim at Romney The different states of America Pilot attacked on Brazilian airliner Uzbek admits plot to kill Obama

A small cargo jet has crashed into a forest preserve in the US. The cause of the crash is unknown but reports say two bodies have been recovered from the wreckage.

The Learjet went down along the Des Plaines River about 1.30pm Tuesday local time, after being cleared for visual approach to Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling, about 24km northwest of Chicago, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

A pilot and co-pilot were believed to be on board, but it was unclear if there were other passengers, FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Cory said in a recorded phone message.

She said the plane crashed in Glenview, about 2km south of the airport. Firefighters and divers were responding to the scene.

Officials had no additional details, but photos posted on the website of WBBM-AM in Chicago showed crumpled chunks of the jet along the bank of the Des Plaines River, and a reporter said there were no signs of movement at the scene.

The FAA said the jet, made in 1977, was registered to the Waterford, Michigan-based Royal Air Freight, but did not immediately know where it had originated.

- AP