Deadly crash kills two as plane plunges into 'ball of flames' near suburban golf course
Authorities said a Van's RV-7A crashed near Petaluma Municipal Airport in Northern California, killing two people and sparking a fire that engulfed the aircraft.
A small plane crashed shortly after takeoff near a Northern California airport Wednesday morning — killing two people on board and sparking a fire, authorities said.
The plane, a Van's RV-7A, crashed shortly after taking off from Petaluma Municipal Airport in Sonoma County, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told Fox News Digital.
The incident took place at around 10:45 a.m. local time on Oct. 7.
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The aircraft went down in a field near Rooster Run Golf Course, where aerial footage showed scattered wreckage and scorched ground, according to FOX 2 San Francisco.
Both people on board were killed, Petaluma police told FOX 2.
The investigation is being led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), with the FAA assisting.
An NTSB spokesperson told Fox News Digital that a "post-impact fire" erupted after the crash.
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An investigator was expected to arrive at the scene Thursday to document the wreckage before the aircraft is recovered to a secure facility for further examination.
NTSB investigators will review flight tracking data, air traffic control communications, aircraft maintenance records, weather conditions, the pilot's flight experience and witness statements, the official added.
Petaluma Police Lt. Zilverio Rivera told reporters the aircraft was "fully engulfed in fire" when emergency crews arrived, FOX 2 reported.
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Gary McClintock, who was playing golf nearby at the time of the crash, told FOX 2 he witnessed what appeared to be engine trouble shortly after takeoff.
"All of a sudden, the engine kind of stops, sputtering a little bit," McClintock said, as FOX 2 noted. "He starts to dive a little bit."
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He added, "We saw then he makes the turnaround here. It looks like he's trying to make it back to the airport, and you can hear the throttle kick in and, all of a sudden, he just crashed and went down into a ball of flames."
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The FAA lists the Van's RV-7A among its eligible amateur-built aircraft kits.
The NTSB said a preliminary report is expected within 30 days.
A final report identifying the probable cause of the crash could take 12 to 24 months.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Petaluma Police Department for additional information.