Two people died when a small plane crashed at an airport in southern Florida, Palm Beach County sheriff’s officials have said.
The crash at the Palm Beach County Park Airport in Lantana happened shortly after 11am officials said.
Television helicopter footage shows the Cessna Skyhawk broken into several pieces well off the runway. Names of the victims were not immediately released.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's office said in a statement: "We are saddened to report that around 11:19 am, our deputies responded to a tragic plane crash at the Lantana Airport, located at Lantana Road and Congress Ave. Upon arrival, two individuals were found deceased within the wreckage.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones affected by this tragic event. Please bear with us as we continue the investigation, and we promise to release more information as it becomes available."
Flightaware.com, an online flight tracking service, shows that the plane was taking off or had just taken off when it crashed.
The flight records show that the single-propeller plane typically made several short flights each day, taking off and then returning to the Lantana airport or, occasionally, flying to other small airports in the area.
The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate along with the sheriff’s office.
The airport serves small planes and is home to flight schools, advertising banner companies, repair shops and other aviation-related businesses.
