Fog Reported At Time Of Early Morning Crash Near Kenosha Airport

Two people onboard a Robinson R44 helicopter were killed Sunday morning, when the helicopter crashed into a home one mile south of Kenosha Regional Airport (ENW).

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports the helo (type shown at right) struck the home at around 5:30 am. Five people inside the home were not injured, and were able to escape before flames from the wreckage spread to the dwelling.

"The engine just didn't sound right," said Gary Stielow, who lives about 100 yards from the accident scene. "It was sputtering. It was at full power, but it was sputtering real bad. Then you just heard a loud boom."

The cause of the accident was not readily apparent. Reported visibility at the time of the pre-dawn crash was between 1/2 to one mile in fog, according to meteorlogist Chris Franks.

The identities of the two victims have not been released. The two-year-old R44 was registered to Midwestern Air Services, which provides charter services and flight training at ENW.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.ntsb.gov