No survivors in small plane crash in Southern Illinois

There were no survivors after a small plane crashed in the Shawnee National Forest in Pope County, Illinois, according to a news release late Monday from Illinois State Police.

Illinois State Police District 22 was contacted by the Pope County Sheriff's Department to assist with the search of a small aircraft that failed to arrive at the Marion, Illinois, airport.

Law enforcement personnel and first responders searched for the plane. About 6:35 p.m. Monday, the plane was found in the forest, and there were no survivors, state troopers reported.

The names of the victims were not being released, pending notification of family members. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have been contacted to investigate.