TEXAS – A small plane crashed into a wooded area in the Texas Hill Country, killing all five people on board, according to local officials.
The incident occurred Thursday night in the Wimberley area, about 40 miles southwest of Austin.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the Cessna 421C crashed at approximately 11:25 p.m. with five people on board.
The agency, along with the National Transportation Safety Board, has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.
The aircraft took off from Amarillo, Texas, about two hours earlier and was en route to New Braunfels Airport.
Photos from the scene show the aircraft was completely destroyed in a heavily wooded area.
Officials have not yet released the identities of the victims, pending family notification.
Air traffic control data recorded the aircraft showing signs of erratic movement before disappearing from radar.
Another pilot in the area reported losing contact with the ill-fated aircraft just before the incident.
The aircraft's emergency transmitter was confirmed to have been activated.
Weather in the area at the time of the crash was reported as cloudy, with thunderstorms occurring a few hours later.
