WATERLOO – A search was underway Friday morning, July 10, 2026, in Monroe County, Ill., for a possible plane crash reported south of Waterloo, with local, state and federal authorities working to determine the aircraft’s last known location.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department said it received reports of a possible plane crash around 2:30 a.m. Friday. After receiving the report, the sheriff’s department, the Waterloo Fire Department and Monroe County EMS responded to the area but could not locate the plane.
As of 8 a.m. Friday, search efforts were focused on the areas of J Road, Illinois Route 156, KK Road and Sportsman Road, south of Waterloo. A command post was established around Illinois Route 3 to coordinate the ongoing search operation.
The Federal Aviation Administration is working with responding crews to determine the plane’s last known location, authorities said.
The Illinois State Police was called to assist with an aerial search using thermal imaging, but weather conditions and cloud cover prevented crews from locating the plane.
Monroe County authorities believe the plane is a Beechcraft Baron 55 private aircraft.
No other information has been released.
