Weather May Have Been A Factor

Police believe weather may have been a factor in the Friday night downing of a small aircraft, identified in news reports as a Beechcraft Baron, on a busy Munster, IN street.

Two men onboard the aircraft were killed in the accident, which occured just before 7:30 pm CST. One appeared to be in his thirties, officials at the scene told the Gary (IN) Post-Tribune, and the second about 40 years of age.

"They were both still stuck in the plane when we arrived," said Munster police chief Nick Panich, who was the first to arrive at the scene. "They went toward the windshield and were pinned in the plane. It looked like an accident on the highway of 60 mph or better."

The plane crashed approximately one mile from Chicago/Lansing Municipal (IGQ) airport. Officials aren't certain if the plane may have just taken off, or was approaching the airport to land.

Rain was falling at the time of the accident, police added. According to the METAR at IGQ, temperatures were near freezing.

Munster police Sgt. Steve Kovacik expressed wonder the plane didn't impact any vehicles on Calumet Avenue.

"It was very close to several vehicles, but to my knowledge no one was struck," he said.

FMI: www.faa.gov