Three Killed When Plane Catches Fire at Alabama Airport

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) – Officials say three people were killed aboard a plane that veered from an Alabama airport runway and caught fire.

Huntsville International Airport spokeswoman Karen Yarbrough said during a press conference Wednesday afternoon that authorities are unsure of the plane’s intended destination. The passengers’ identities haven’t been released.

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen says the Westwind II aircraft was trying to depart at the time.

Photos from local news outlets showed flames and a large plume of black smoke that appeared to be rising.

Bergen says the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.