A pilot forced to make an emergency landing Tuesday afternoon appears to have survived the crash.
It happened in a field just south of DeKalb Airport and Route 38 around 3:45 p.m.
Witnesses say the homemade P51 Mustang appeared to be in trouble shortly after takeoff from the airport, losing altitude and emitting small puffs of smoke as it crossed Route 38 and crashed in a cornfield.
The plane landed on its belly but flipped onto its back. The pilot, identified as 62-year-old James Allman, was trapped inside the plane following the crash.
He was extricated and transported to a local hospital via helicopter. Police say Allman didn't appear to be in critical condition and was conscious and alert.
FAA officials were expected to survey the scene on Wednesday to try to determine what caused the crash.
The crash location is a mile east of Northern Illinois University.
