A fixed wing, single-engine plane crashed Monday alongside the runway at the Schaumburg Regional Airport.
The plane -- a Luscombe 8A -- went down shortly after takeoff shortly at 3:30 p.m, said Federal Aviation spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory.
The aircraft's wing was separated when the plane flipped over. Witnesses on the ground said it "fell out of the sky."
Authorities say the pilot, a 66-year-old man, possibly of Chicago, was removed from the aircraft by the Schaumburg Fire Department and pronounced dead at the scene.
Positive identification and notification of relatives is pending.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane, with tail number N71823, is registered to a Palatine man, but it's currently unknown if that's who was piloting the plane.
There is no damage to the runway. The airport is currently closed.
Representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board are expected at the airport soon to begin their investigation.
