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Mount Prospect Today
By the People, for the People
Pilot Killed in Crash Near Chicago Airport
Centurion aircraft flew dangerously low during instrument approach in poor visibility
Mar. 12, 2026 at 4:46pm
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A 75-year-old pilot from Mount Prospect, Illinois was killed when his Centurion aircraft crashed more than 2 miles from the runway while attempting an instrument approach to Chicago Executive Airport in poor visibility. Air traffic control audio and ADS-B data suggest the pilot flew dangerously low and may have been confused about his altitude in the final minutes of the flight.
Why it matters
This accident highlights the dangers pilots face when deviating from published instrument approach procedures, especially in low visibility conditions. The phrasing of air traffic control advisories may have contributed to the pilot's loss of situational awareness, raising questions about how controllers can most effectively communicate altitude deviations to pilots.
The details
The sole-occupant pilot, identified as Chester Wojnicki, was killed when his aircraft struck the roof of a townhome and two gas meters about 2.6 miles from the runway. No one on the ground was injured. ADS-B data shows the aircraft was consistently below the approach's minimum altitudes starting at the initial fix, and deviated left and right of course prior to impact. Shortly before the crash, the tower controller issued multiple alerts about the aircraft's low altitude, but the pilot's response suggests he was confused about his actual altitude.
- The accident occurred around 9:41 p.m. local time on March 4, 2026.
- About 10 minutes after the accident, the weather report showed low clouds, poor visibility, and a tower-reported visibility of just 1 mile.
- An hour before the pilot began the approach, conditions were slightly better, with a low overcast layer at 300 feet and 2.5 miles visibility.
The players
Chester Wojnicki
A 75-year-old pilot from Mount Prospect, Illinois who was killed in the crash.
Chicago Executive Airport
The airport the pilot was attempting to land at when the accident occurred.
What they’re saying
“We'll see how low we can get.”
— Chester Wojnicki
“I'm showing you at about a thousand feet over the ground.”
— Tower Controller
“Centurion Niner-Foxtrot-Bravo, just an advisory, three miles final, you appear at nine hundred feet above the ground.”
— Tower Controller
What’s next
The NTSB is likely to investigate factors including the pilot's descent below published approach altitudes, failure to establish a stabilized approach, and potential loss of situational awareness. The tower controller's phraseology when issuing altitude alerts may also be examined as a contributing factor.
The takeaway
This tragic accident underscores the critical importance of pilots strictly adhering to published instrument approach procedures, especially in low visibility conditions. It also raises questions about how air traffic controllers can most effectively communicate altitude deviations to pilots to prevent similar incidents in the future.
