The wreckage of a fatal plane crash in Manhattan Township was being recovered Wednesday and will be moved to another location, federal authorities said.
The National Transportation Safety Board, the lead investigative agency for plane crashes, was expected to be in the area Thursday — continuing its investigation into the small-plane crash that occurred Tuesday afternoon southwest of Manhattan.
Investigators from the federal agency were at the site Wednesday, looking at the wreckage from the crash in a field southwest of Gougar and Offner roads.
"Part of what we will be doing is seeing if there were any witnesses to the crash," agency spokesman Keith Holloway said.
The agency also examines the pilot's history, radar data and air-traffic control communications, Holloway said.
"We are in a fact-gathering stage of the investigation," he said.
Under federal law, the agency is responsible for investigating and determining the probable cause of every civil aviation accident in the United States. Investigations take between one and 1-1/2 years to complete.
An autopsy on the crash victim, Larry A. Diffley, 74, of Bemidji, Minn., was scheduled for Wednesday, the Will County coroner's office said. No update was released Wednesday afternoon.
Diffley was pronounced dead at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday. The cause and manner of his death are pending investigative, autopsy and other reports.
Federal investigators arrived around 7:45 a.m. Wednesday to inspect the wreckage.
Before 8 a.m., inspectors from two oil companies were also at the crash site to inspect the damage. According to reports four pipelines run through the fields in the area near the crash.
Diffley was contracted by Enbridge Energy to inspect their pipeline from the air when the crash occurred, Will County sheriff's police said.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:51 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:51:02 GMT
Chicago teachers, parents and students are hitting the streets for a third and final day of citywide marches in protest of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to close dozens of schools.
Chicago teachers, parents and students are hitting the streets for a third and final day of citywide marches in protest of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to close dozens of schools.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:38 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:38:56 GMT
Clinton Shepherd, Pier Park Operations Manager, is trying to set a new world record for the longest time riding a Ferris Wheel. He was stationed at Navy Pier Thursday, preparing for this weekend's marathon event.
Clinton Shepherd, Pier Park Operations Manager, is trying to set a new world record for the longest time riding a Ferris Wheel. He was stationed at Navy Pier Thursday, preparing for this weekend's marathon event.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:20 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:20:38 GMT
Five people have been killed and at least 18 others wounded — including a 12-year-old boy left in critical condition — in shootings across the city since Friday night.
Five people have been killed and at least 18 others wounded — including a 12-year-old boy left in critical condition — in shootings across the city since Friday night.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:26 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:26:18 GMT
One adult and 11 juveniles were arrested Saturday night after police responded to groups of teens running through traffic around North Michigan Avenue on the Gold Coast.
One adult and 11 juveniles were arrested Saturday night after police responded to groups of teens running through traffic around North Michigan Avenue on the Gold Coast.
Sunday, May 19 2013 6:44 PM EDT2013-05-19 22:44:15 GMT
Skokie Police Chief Tony Scarpelli said Sunday police still have no suspect in custody in connection with a shooting Friday night near just outside of Westfield's Old Orchard Shopping Center.
Skokie Police Chief Tony Scarpelli said Sunday police still have no suspect in custody in connection with a shooting Friday night near just outside of Westfield's Old Orchard Shopping Center.
Sunday, May 19 2013 3:10 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:10:22 GMT
The derailment of an Amtrak City of New Orleans train on the Near South Side Sunday morning led to delays and a couple cancellations for trains on Metra's Rock Island District line.
The derailment of an Amtrak City of New Orleans train on the Near South Side Sunday morning led to delays and a couple cancellations for trains on Metra's Rock Island District line.
