PETALUMA, CA — A small plane circled near a Petaluma golf course and turned toward the airport before crashing and bursting into flames Wednesday morning.
Federal investigators are examining the flight's final moments to determine why the aircraft went down shortly after takeoff, killing the pilot and passenger.
Authorities have not yet publicly identified either occupant or disclosed what led to the crash.
Witnesses described seeing the plane turn toward Petaluma Municipal Airport before it crashed near Rooster Run Golf Club in Petaluma and caught fire. No injuries were reported on the ground.
The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft as a Van's RV-7A, a two-seat, single-engine kit-built plane, according to reports.
The agency said it crashed in a field shortly after leaving the airport, about 10:40 a.m.
Flames were already consuming the aircraft when police and firefighters arrived.
Paramedics found two people already dead inside, according to police.
Petaluma Police closed East Washington Street between Garfield Drive and Adobe Road.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board took over the investigation.
Police said the agencies would release further information about the aircraft, occupants, circumstances, and cause as it becomes available.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
MORE: 2 Dead In Airplane Crash At Local Golf Club
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