Geneva Couple OK After Their Plane Goes Down In Cornfield

SUGAR GROVE, IL – A Geneva pilot was able to land his plane safely after experiencing an emergency in the air shortly after taking off from the Aurora Municipal Airport Friday morning. Edward Bonifas, 58, and his wife and a passenger in his Piper Seneca, Carmella Bonifas, 65, were en route to Arizona when they were forced to land the plane in a cornfield at about 7:10 a.m. Once they landed and called for help, authorities had a hard time finding the plane amid the tall corn in the field, according to a news release from the Kane County Sheriff's Office.

As they tried to track the local couple down, the pilot was able to talk with first responders over his cell phone. Authorities used an Aurora Fire Department ladder truck as they tried to get a view from above of the field and plane.

"Fire Department personnel were not able to see the plane but the pilot could see the ladder truck," according to sheriff's office news release. "He ultimately directed fire personnel using an ATV to get to him."

Authorities found the couple about a half mile west of the airport and south of Scott Road, according to the news release. Both Edward and Carmella were checked out by EMS at the scene and released. Neither were injured.

Patrick Gengler, the public information officer for the Kane County Sheriff's Office, said Friday morning he was not sure what circumstances lead to the plane going down in the field.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Traffic Safety Board are investigating the incident.

Photo credit: Kane Co. Sheriff's Office