Richard McClung (1943 – 2026) was a Mormon bishopric counselor in Rockford, Illinois in 2006; convicted in 2007 and 2014 of charges related to child sexual abuse; accused in a 2025 lawsuit against the Mormon church of sexually abusing an 8-year-old girl on church property in 2006 despite facing criminal charges at the time and remaining in the bishopric; died in plane crash Feb. 14, 2026 in Poplar Grove, Illinois.
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UPDATE Feb. 18, 2026 – We’ve added McClung’s obituary to our sources section. We’ve also added details related to McClung’s death on Feb. 14, 2026 and organized all of the related criminal and civil case information for clarity. If you’d like to support our independent newsroom, please consider donating. Thank you!

We’ve seen rumors on social media regarding the reason why McClung’s plane crashed and why it crashed where it did. We have not seen any credible information confirming death by suicide or that McClung had any personal connection to the home or property where the aircraft crashed.

According to a Feb. 18, 2026 Facebook post by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, the Boone County coroner stated in a press release (also dated Feb. 18) that “an autopsy was performed on 2/17/2026 show the preliminary cause of death to be injuries received in the crash.”

Floodlit urges all to check source information carefully and be considerate of abuse survivors and family members of the deceased.

Floodlit is an independent newsroom covering sexual abuse in the Mormon church.

Richard Clarke McLung Case Report

Richard McClung was a Mormon bishopric counselor in the Rockford, Illinois area in the 2000s. He was convicted twice of crimes related to child sexual abuse.

McClung died on Feb. 14, 2026 in a plane crash in Poplar Grove, Illinois.

A 2025 lawsuit against the Mormon church said church officials failed to protect an 8-year-old girl from sexual abuse by McClung. Some of the alleged abuse in that case took place on church property.

Here are details of McClung’s two criminal convictions, plus two civil lawsuits naming McClung as a defendant. One of those lawsuits, which is still ongoing as of Feb. 18, 2026, also named the Mormon church as a defendant.

Richard McClung criminal case information (two convictions: 2007, 2011)

McClung was charged with child sexual abuse in 2006 and convicted in September 2007 (case 2006-CF-0004025). In that case, McClung was accused of sexual abuse of a 6-year-old girl. He was sentenced to probation and counseling. McClung was also required to register as a sex offender.

In 2011, McClung was charged again with crimes related to child sexual abuse (case 2011-CF-0002543). In September 2014, a jury found McClung guilty of one count of sexual abuse. The jury also found McClung not guilty of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and related charges. Floodlit is seeking more information regarding McClung’s sentence in this case

Richard McClung civil case information (two lawsuits: 2014, 2025)

In 2014 (case 2014-L-0000353AF), McClung was sued civilly in the Winnebago County 17th Judicial Circuit Court, the same court where his two previous criminal cases had taken place. Floodlit is seeking more information about the results of that lawsuit.

On Jan. 28, 2025, a woman filed a civil lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the Mormon church and McClung. The complaint said McClung sexually abused the plaintiff in 2006, when she eight years old. The plaintiff alleged that the church failed to protect her from McClung and that a bishop dismissed her report of abuse.

The 2025 plaintiff was a different person from the victims in the 2006 and 2011 criminal cases.

2025 lawsuit v. Mormon church – Richard McClung was also a named defendant

The 2025 civil complaint alleged that:

  • McClung, a second counselor to the bishop at a local LDS church, sexually abused the plaintiff when she was eight years old in 2006, using his position of authority to gain access to her.
  • The abuse included rape at McClung’s home and subsequent incidents of molestation at church events on church property.
  • At the time of the alleged abuse in October 2006, McClung had recently been criminally charged with abusing another minor girl, but had not been released from his bishopric duties.
  • McClung threatened the victim to keep the abuse secret or he would harm or kill her mother.
  • Despite McClung being charged with child sexual abuse in 2006, the LDS Church allegedly did not take adequate steps to protect children, allowing him to retain his leadership role.
  • The plaintiff repressed her memories until 2012 when seeing McClung at a church event triggered her recollection of the abuse.
  • After sharing her experience with a friend who had also been abused by McClung, the abuse was reported to their parents and to the police.
  • The church’s response was inadequate, with a focus on the plaintiff needing to forgive McClung rather than on her protection or recovery.
  • When the plaintiff went to the bishop to discuss the abuse, instead of prioritizing her safety, the bishop allegedly admonished her for not forgiving Richard McClung, the perpetrator.
  • The bishop cut her off from sharing her traumatic memories and told her she needed to forgive McClung.
  • She was also told she needed to repent “for not being able to forgive” McClung.
  • The bishop did nothing to help her following this meeting, which further compounded her psychological trauma.
  • The lawsuit claimed the LDS Church benefited from and was complicit in the abuse of children.

FLOODLIT is seeking more information in this case. The lawsuit is still ongoing as of Feb. 18, 2026.

Thanks to your donations and support, we have obtained copies of court documents in this case.

Richard C. McClung 2026 alleged cause of death

McClung died in a plane crash in Poplar Grove, Illinois on Feb. 14, 2026. McClung was the aircraft’s pilot and registered owner. No other fatalities or injuries were reported.

According to the FAA, the aircraft that crashed was registered to Richard C. McClung of Rockford, Illinois.  The parcel information from the Winnebago Supervisor of Assessments stated that Richard Clarke McClung was the registered owner of the Rockford residence listed in the FAA listing.

Floodlit is not aware of any connection between Richard McClung and the Poplar Grove home or area where his plane crashed.

On Feb. 18, 2026, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office posted on its Facebook page, providing a press release from the Boone County Coroner. We’ve included the full text below in the sources section. The release stated in part:

“An autopsy was performed on 2/17/2026 show the preliminary cause of death to be injuries received in the crash.”

Suicide allegations (unsubstantiated)

According to a listing on The DTSB, a volunteer-run website that keeps records of plane crashes, “The DTSB determines the cause of this accident to be Pilot Suicide. The accident pilot lived in Rockford, Illinois but flew to this location after being served another new civil lawsuit regarding sexual abuse stemming from a string of similar LDS child abuse cases in the past. The accident pilot did intentionally dive his aircraft into a residence located at [redacted by Floodlit], Poplar Grove, Illinois. The name of the resident at this address or the relationship to the accident pilot has not yet been released.” Floodlit retrieved this information from The DTSB on Feb. 16, 2026.

The information on The DTSB conflicts with McClung’s obituary, which says he died “as a result of having a mechanical failure on the aircraft he was flying.”

Richard Clarke McClung LDS church membership history

McClung was second counselor in the bishopric of a Rockford, Illinois LDS ward in 2006, according to the federal lawsuit filed in 2025 against the church and McClung.

The lawsuit alleged that McClung was excommunicated by the Mormon church sometime between 2007 and 2012. However, according to the suit, McClung visited an LDS church “during the Summer of 2012 to meet with the Bishop at the time, in order to ask to reinstate his membership with the L.D.S. CHURCH after his previous excommunication.”

If you have any information about McClung’s history of membership in the Mormon church, please contact us.

Have any info on this or other Mormon sex abuse cases? Contact us.

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Sources

  1. Man gets three years for 2007 sex abuse, Rockford Register Star (Rockford, Illinois), December 11, 2014.
  2. 2006-CF-0004025 People of the State of Illinois vs. RICHARD C MCCLUNG (SEX ABUSE CRIME/PLEADED GUILTY), Winnebago County 17th Judicial Circuit Court , October 18, 2006.
  3. 2011-CF-0002543 People of the State of Illinois vs. Richard C Mcclung, Winnebago County 17th Judicial Circuit Court , September 14, 2011.
  4. 2014-L-0000353 AF et al. vs. Richard Clarke McClung (PERSONAL INJURY CIVIL SUIT), Winnebago County 17th Judicial Circuit Court , November 13, 2014.
  5. Richard Clark McClung, Rain Street, January 8, 2015.
  6. Peterson v. The Church of the Latter- Day Saints (1:25-cv-00947), CourtListener, January 28, 2025.
  7. Child Sex Offender Information (as of 2/13/2025), Illinois State Police, February 13, 2025.
  8. 10b) SUICIDE, C-FITWittman W-8 | N9424H February 14th, 2026 | Poplar Grove, Illinois/ LDS child sex abuse civil suits mentioned, The DTSB, February 16, 2026.
  9. Richard C. McClung, Fitzgerald Funeral Home, February 18, 2026.
  10. For Immediate Release: From: Rebecca A. Wigget - Boone County Coroner, Boone County Sheriff's Office (Facebook), February 18, 2026.

  • 1. Man gets three years for 2007 sex abuse

    • 20141211
    • News article
    • Rockford Register Star (Rockford, Illinois)

    ROCKFORD — Chief Judge Joseph McGraw on Wednesday sentenced Richard McClung, 71, of Rockford, to three years in prison for the aggravated sexual abuse of a child.

    McClung was arrested by Winnebago County Sheriff’s Police officers in 2011 after a child told authorities that McClung had sexually abused her in August 2007 when she was 8 years old. The girl is now a teenager, Winnebago County State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato said in a news release.

    A jury in September found McClung not guilty of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and related charges. But it found McClung guilty of sexual abuse, a lesser charge, after a short trial.

    McClung had previously been convicted for the September 2006 criminal sexual abuse of a 6-year-old girl and was sentenced to probation and counseling.

    Aggravated criminal sexual abuse is a Class 2 felony punishable by a sentence of probation or three to seven years in prison and lifetime registration as a sex offender.

  • 2. 2006-CF-0004025 People of the State of Illinois vs. RICHARD C MCCLUNG (SEX ABUSE CRIME/PLEADED GUILTY)

    • 20061018
    • Court record
    • Winnebago County 17th Judicial Circuit Court

    Judge Truitt, John Appellate Case No.
    Prosecutor Location
    Case Subtype Criminal Felony Filing Date 10/18/2006
    File Location * * * * * * Appeal Date
    Remand Date Appeal Accepted Date
    Dom. Violence Appeal Upheld Date
    Jurisdiction Circuit Under Advisement Date * * * * * *
    Physical File * Previous Case No. * * * * * *
    Sealed * Other Agency Case No.
    Comment * * * * * * *
    Jury Requested Batch Label
    Jury Verdict Probation Officer
    Citation Import Case Next Hearing
    Defendant Information
    1 of 1
    Defendant McClung, Richard Clarke Confidential
    Case Relationship No
    Next Appearance
    First Appearance
    Trial By * * * * * * Speedy Trial * * * * * *
    Money Due 09/20/2007
    Extension Date
    Amount Due 0.00
    FTP Hold Indefinite
    FTPV Hold Indefinite
    FTA Hold Date FTP Hold Date
    FTC Hold Date FTPV Hold Date
    Lead Attorney Altamore, A. F Attorney Waived *
    DCN * * * * * * Custody Status * * * * * *
    Arrest Date
    Party Reference Number
    Do Not Allow Epayments Interest Start Date

    *Date 12/07/2006 *Judge **Collins, Rosemary Microfilm Number
    Sealed Code
    CONVERSION
    *Text

    MOTION FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER FILED

    Reporter: MCNEELEY ANN M
    Clerk: MJJ

    Charge Summary
    Blue Arrow Image2006-CF-0004025People of the State of Illinois vs. RICHARD C MCCLUNG
    Case StatusBlue Arrow ImageClosed pending clerk action - Sep 20, 2007
    Defendant McClung, Richard Clarke
    Sel Charge Count Statute Plea Disposition Charging Document License Alerts
    1 1 720 5/12-16(c)(1)(i) : 2-AGG CRIM SEX ABUSE/VIC <13 No Plea Entered on 11/01/2006 Dismiss/Superseded by Indictment or Information on 11/01/2006 Complaint filed on 2 1 720 5/12-16(c)(1)(i) : 2-AGG CRIM SEX ABUSE/VIC <13 Guilty on 09/20/2007 Guilty on 09/20/2007 Bill of Indictment filed onROA Date Blue Arrow Image 10/31/2011 Judge Blue Arrow Image John Truitt Clerk Blue Arrow Image CT DDDF Document(s) filed: Petition and Order to terminate Probation, Discharge Summary ROA Date Blue Arrow Image 09/16/2011 Judge Blue Arrow Image C. Robert Tobin Clerk Blue Arrow Image HR BOND Hearing Result: Cause comes on for Arraignment-Petition . Result: Bond Out ROA Date Blue Arrow Image 09/15/2011 Judge Blue Arrow Image John Truitt Clerk Blue Arrow Image HR CACO Hearing Result: Cause comes on for Arraignment-Petition State to file petition in court.. State does not file petition at this time .Cause Continued to tomorrow per State. Plus Image CT HRST CR Next Appearance: Arraignment-Petition , September 16, 2011 at 1:30 PM in Courtroom 315 with Judge C. Robert Tobin. MINUTES Presiding Judge: C. Robert Tobin. State appears by State's Attorney, Justin J Umlah. Attorney A. F. Altamore appears with Defendant, Richard C Mcclung. Also attending: Video VideoTapeRecorded Court Reporter; R.M. Court Clerk. ROA Date Blue Arrow Image 11/07/2007 Judge Blue Arrow Image John Truitt Clerk Blue Arrow Image CONVERSION The people present by Prosecuting Attorney SARA C. CAVANAGH. Defendant present in open court with Atty Rock.PO Urbanski present. Cause comes on for results from medical test. Results are reviewed by all. No further date set. Reporter: FRY LUANN S Clerk: NJM ROA Date Blue Arrow Image 09/28/2007 Judge Blue Arrow Image John Truitt Clerk Blue Arrow Image Plus Image CONVERSION Bond Refund Bond Used Defendant's Attorney Altamore/Assoc Clerk: MKC

  • 3. 2011-CF-0002543 People of the State of Illinois vs. Richard C Mcclung

    • 20110914
    • Court record
    • Winnebago County 17th Judicial Circuit Court

    Judge McGraw, Joseph Appellate Case No. 2-15-0051
    Prosecutor Shelton, Lindsey Ann Location *
    Case Subtype Criminal Felony Filing Date 09/14/2011
    File Location * * * * * * Appeal Date 01/15/2015
    Remand Date Appeal Accepted Date
    Dom. Violence Appeal Upheld Date
    Jurisdiction Circuit Under Advisement Date * * * * * *
    Physical File * Previous Case No. * * * * * *
    Sealed * Other Agency Case No.
    Comment * * * * * * *
    Jury Requested Batch Label
    Jury Verdict Probation Officer
    Citation Import Case Next Hearing
    Defendant Information
    1 of 1
    Defendant McClung, Richard Clarke Confidential
    Case Relationship No
    Next Appearance
    First Appearance
    Trial By * * * * * * Speedy Trial * * * * * *
    Money Due 06/17/2016
    Extension Date
    Amount Due 0.00
    FTP Hold Indefinite
    FTPV Hold Indefinite
    FTA Hold Date FTP Hold Date
    FTC Hold Date FTPV Hold Date
    Lead Attorney Schafer Derango & Cain Attorney Waived *
    DCN * * * * * * Custody Status * * * * * *
    Arrest Date
    Party Reference Number
    Do Not Allow Epayments Interest Start Date

    1 1 720 5/12-14.1(a)(1) : X-PREDATORY CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASLT Dismiss/Superseded by Indictment or Information on 10/12/2011
    2 2 720 5/12-16(c)(1)(i) : 2-AGG CRIM SEX ABUSE/VIC <13 Dismiss/Superseded by Indictment or Information on 10/12/2011 3 3 720 5/12-14.1(a)(1) : X-PREDATORY CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASLT Dismiss/Superseded by Indictment or Information on 10/12/2011 4 4 720 5/12-14.1(a)(1) : X-PREDATORY CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASLT Dismiss/Superseded by Indictment or Information on 10/12/2011 5 5 720 5/12-16(c)(1)(i) : 2-AGG CRIM SEX ABUSE/VIC <13 Dismiss/Superseded by Indictment or Information on 10/12/2011 6 1 720 5/12-14.1(a)(1) : X-PREDATORY CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASLT No Plea Entered on 09/10/2014 Not Guilty on 09/10/2014 Bill of Indictment filed on 10/12/2011 7 2 720 5/12-16(c)(1)(i) : 2-AGG CRIM SEX ABUSE/VIC <13 Not Guilty on 09/10/2014 Guilty on 09/10/2014 Bill of Indictment filed on 10/12/2011 8 3 720 5/12-14.1(a)(1) : X-PREDATORY CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASLT No Plea Entered on 12/10/2014 Dismiss/State Motion on 12/10/2014 Bill of Indictment filed on 10/12/2011 9 4 720 5/12-14.1(a)(1) : X-PREDATORY CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASLT No Plea Entered on 12/10/2014 Dismiss/State Motion on 12/10/2014 Bill of Indictment filed on 10/12/2011 10 5 720 5/12-16(c)(2)(ii) : 2-AGG CRIM SEX AB/FORCE/VIC 9-16 No Plea Entered on 12/10/2014 Dismiss/State Motion on 12/10/2014 Bill of Indictment filed on 10/12/2011 11 6 720 5/12-16(c)(1)(i) : 2-AGG CRIM SEX ABUSE/VIC <13 No Plea Entered on 12/10/2014 Dismiss/State Motion on 12/10/2014 Bill of Indictment filed on 10/12/2011 12 7 720 5/12-16(c)(1)(i) : 2-AGG CRIM SEX ABUSE/VIC <13 No Plea Entered on 12/10/2014 Dismiss/State Motion on 12/10/2014 Bill of Indictment filed on 10/12/2011

  • 4. 2014-L-0000353 AF et al. vs. Richard Clarke McClung (PERSONAL INJURY CIVIL SUIT)

    • 20141113
    • Court record
    • Winnebago County 17th Judicial Circuit Court

    Civil Case
    Blue Arrow Image 2014-L-0000353 AF et al. vs. Richard Clarke McClung
    Case StatusBlue Arrow ImageClosed pending clerk action - Jun 7, 2017
    Case Information
    Judge Prochaska, J. Edward Appellate Case No.
    Prosecutor Location
    Case Subtype **Personal Injury Filing Date 11/13/2014
    File Location * * * * * * Appeal Date
    Remand Date Appeal Accepted Date
    Dom. Violence * Appeal Upheld Date
    Jurisdiction Circuit Under Advisement Date * * * * * *
    Physical File * Previous Case No. * * * * * *
    Sealed * Other Agency Case No.
    Next Hearing Jury Requested
    Batch Label Jury Verdict
    Complex Case Class Action
    Exceptional Case
    Comment * * * * * * *
    Litigant Information
    Button Page First Image Button Page Previous Image3 of 3 Button Page Disabled ImageButton Page Disabled Image

    Litigant McClung, Richard Clarke
    Confidential Attorney Devine, James Patrick
    Litigant Type Defendant Other Party Type
    Status
    Send Notices Amount Claimed
    Appointed Date Removed Date
    Amount Due 0.00 Money Due
    Extension Date Exempt
    Bankruptcy Stay
    Comment

    *Date 06/07/2017 *Judge **Prochaska, J. Edward Microfilm Number
    Sealed Code
    HR CANL
    Action Type
    *Text

    * Hearing Result: Cancelled 07/20/2017 hearing date
    Add Document
    *Date 06/07/2017 *Judge **Prochaska, J. Edward Microfilm Number
    Sealed Code
    JG AGRE
    Action Type
    *Text

    Dismissal with Prejudice Order: See order filed.
    Case closed.
    Add Document
    *Date 06/06/2017 *Judge **Prochaska, J. Edward Microfilm Number
    Sealed Code
    ACTION
    Action Type
    {'items':['2922']}
    *Text

    Stipulation to Dismiss filed by Devine, James.
    Add Document
    *Date 05/23/2017 *Judge **Prochaska, J. Edward Microfilm Number
    Sealed Code
    MINUTES
    Action Type
    *Text

    * Court Proceedings:

    * Court Attendees: Presiding Judge: J. Edward Prochaska. Private Attorney, Jody L. Booher, appears for Plaintiff, Martha Farley. Private Attorney, Jody L. Booher, appears for Plaintiff, AF. Private Attorney, James Patrick Devine, appears with Defendant, Richard Clarke McClung. Also attending: C.G. Court

  • 5. Richard Clark McClung

    • 20150108
    • News article
    • Rain Street

    Personal Details
    Date of birth: Jan 24, 1943
    Hair: Gray or partially gray
    Eyes: Hazel
    Status: Sexual Predator
    County of conviction: Winnebago
    Institution: ILLINOIS RIVER CORRECTIONAL CENTER
    Offender status: PAROLE
    Parole date: Mar 8, 2016
    Registration: 1376031
    Level: Predator
    Age of victim: 6
    Known addresses
    Rockford, Illinois 61108
    Scars marks tattoos
    Description: RECORDED
    Recent Arrests
    Booking date: Jan 8, 2015
    Release date: Mar 8, 2018
    Jail name: Illinois Department of Correction
    Location: 1301 Concordia Ct., Springfield, IL 62794
    Booking location: Winnebago County, IL
    Arresting agency: Winnebago County IL Sheriff's Office
    Booking location: Winnebago County, IL
    Recent Charges
    Description: AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE/VICTIM
    Other charges
    Description: 12-16{C}(2)(I) - AGGRAVATED CRIM SEXUAL ABUSE/VICTIM
    Date convicted: Sep 20, 2007
    Conviction state: Illinois
    Charges: N/A
    Sentences
    Mittimus: 11CF2543
    Class: 2
    Count: 1
    Offense: AGG CRIM SEX ABUSE/VIC <13 Offense date: Sep 8, 2014 Sentence: 3 Years 0 Months 0 Days County: WINNEBAGO Sentence discharged: NO

  • 6. Peterson v. The Church of the Latter- Day Saints (1:25-cv-00947)

    • 20250128
    • Court record
    • CourtListener

    [FLOODLIT has a copy of the complaint.]

    Download the complaint for free:
    https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ilnd.472641/gov.uscourts.ilnd.472641.2.0.pdf

  • 7. Child Sex Offender Information (as of 2/13/2025)

    • 20250213
    • Registered sex offender record
    • Illinois State Police

    Child Sex Offender Information (as of 2/13/2025)

    Status:
    Compliant
    Name:
    MCCLUNG, RICHARD CLARKE
    Alias Name(s):
    MCCLUNG, RICHARD C
    MCCLUNG, RICHARD
    Date of Birth:
    1/24/1943
    Alias DoB(s):
    Height:
    5'10"
    Weight:
    165 lbs.
    Sex:
    M
    Race:
    W
    Address:
    [redacted by FLOODLIT]
    ROCKFORD, IL 61108
    Registering Agency:
    WINNEBAGO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
    Original Registration Date:
    9/20/2007
    Recent Registration Date:
    4/5/2024
    Duration of Registration:
    Lifetime Registrant
    Crime Information

    Sexual PredatorOpens in new window
    VICTIM WAS 06 YEARS OF AGE
    OFFENDER WAS 63 AT THE TIME OF THE OFFENSE
    Crimes:
    AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE/VICTIM <9 AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE/VICTIM <13 County of Conviction: Winnebago

  • 8. 10b) SUICIDE, C-FITWittman W-8 | N9424H February 14th, 2026 | Poplar Grove, Illinois/ LDS child sex abuse civil suits mentioned

    • 20260216
    • News article
    • The DTSB

    Accident Location

    City: Poplar Grove
    State: Illinois
    Latitude: 42.310222
    Longitude: -88.839497
    Airport ID: C77

    Aircraft Info

    N Number: N9424H

    Make: Wittman

    Model: W-8

    Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land

    Amateur Built: Yes

    Pilot Info

    PIC Name: McClung, Richard Clarke
    Gender: Male
    Pilot Age: 82
    Pilot Hours:
    Flight School: No
    Instructional Flight: No
    Pilot Certification: Commercial Pilot
    IFR Rating: Yes
    Pilot Error: Yes
    Pilot Medical: Basic Med

    Pilot Incapacitation: No

    Analysis

    Date: February 14th, 2026
    Time: 6:00 PM Local Time
    Day / Night: Day
    VMC / IMC: VMC
    Phase Of Flight: Approach
    Total People Onboard: 1
    PIC Fatality: 1
    PAX Fatalities: 0
    Ground Fatalities: 0
    Total Fatalities: 1
    NTSB No:
    NTSB Travel: Unknown
    AQP Classification: 10b) SUICIDE, C-FIT

    Probable Cause

    DTSB: The DTSB determines the cause of this accident to be Pilot Suicide. The accident pilot lived in Rockford, Illinois but flew to this location after being served another new civil lawsuit regarding sexual abuse stemming from a string of similar LDS child abuse cases in the past. The accident pilot did intentionally dive his aircraft into a residence located at 328 Spring Meadow Drive, Poplar Grove, Illinois. The name of the resident at this address or the relationship to the accident pilot has not yet been released.

    NTSB: NONE

    Recommendation

    DTSB: Pending.

    NTSB: NONE

  • 9. Richard C. McClung

    • 20260218
    • News article
    • Fitzgerald Funeral Home

    Obituary

    Richard “Dick” McClung, 83, of Rockford, IL passed away on February 14, 2026 as a result of having a mechanical failure on the aircraft he was flying. He was born on January 24, 1943, in Glendale, CA.

    [...]

    Richard got his degree in engineering and marketing from the University of Miami. He worked for many years in the Aerospace industry as a marketing engineer at Hamilton Sundstrand in Rockford, IL, as well as General Electric in Pennsylvania. He also flew commercially for PanAm for some time.

    He was ultimately raised [...] in Miami FL and had learned to fly at the very young age of 14. He spent some time in Wattsburg PA, before settling down in Rockford IL from 1979 until 2026.

    He had 10’s of thousands of flight hours in his life. Something he never gave up until the end. He was knowledgeable in many technological things as well as enjoyed science. He always had a love for building. He built the house they had in Pennsylvania, built a Seahawk Amphibian airplane, and built many boats throughout his life. He also had a great skill in building smaller model boats and built over 50 of them by hand. He had a love for his family, and tried his best in all the ways he knew how. He always had goofy jokes, ones that will continue to live on, and a great sense of humor despite the challenges in his life.

    [...]

    A Graveside Service will be on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations and memorials may be made to the family.

  • 10. For Immediate Release: From: Rebecca A. Wigget - Boone County Coroner

    • 20260218
    • News article
    • Boone County Sheriff's Office (Facebook)

    For Immediate Release:

    From: Rebecca A. Wigget - Boone County Coroner
    Date: February 18, 2026

    The pilot killed in a small plane crash on 2/14/2026 in Poplar Grove, IL has been identified as Richard C. McClung, Caucasian male, age 83 years. Mr. McClung resides in Rockford, IL. An autopsy was performed on 2/17/2026 show the preliminary cause of death to be injuries received in the crash. This death remains under investigation of the Boone County Coroner's Office, Boone County Sheriff's Department and the National Transportation Safety Board. No further information is available at this time.

    Rebecca A. Wigget
    Coroner of Boone County

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Timeline

  • 1943
    Born

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