MONROE COUNTY — A missing private aircraft was found south of Waterloo on Friday, July 10, 2026, after reports of a possible crash came in around 2:30 a.m., and authorities confirmed multiple fatalities as the response shifted from search and rescue to recovery.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said the aircraft was located by 1 p.m. Friday, July 10, 2026. Authorities identified it as a Beechcraft Baron 55 private plane. The National Transportation Safety Board said it has opened an investigation into the crash near Waterloo, identifying the aircraft in the provided information as a “Breech 95-B55 airplane.”
The Waterloo Fire Department and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department said in an update that the search and rescue mission had transitioned to a recovery operation after the plane was found.
Previous search efforts had focused on J Road, Illinois Route 156, KK Road and Sportsman Road, about five miles south of Waterloo High School. Earlier search efforts had been hampered by weather conditions.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed multiple fatalities, though authorities said it remains unclear how many people may have died. Investigators have not disclosed the identities of anyone involved.
Authorities said they believe the crash happened late Thursday evening, July 9, 2026, or early Friday morning, July 10, 2026.
The Beechcraft Baron 55 is a light twin-engine piston aircraft first introduced in 1961. According to the provided information, it has seating for four to six people and is used for personal and business travel.
More information regarding the crash was scheduled to be released at 3 p.m. Friday.
