MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Three people died after a small plane crashed in North Carolina on Monday, according to officials.
McDowell County Emergency Management said the plane was found in the Brackett Town Road area, off Vein Mountain Road, near the McDowell/Rutherford County line.
"Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those affected by this devastating incident," emergency officials said in a statement.According to Flight Aware, the plane took off shortly before 8:30 p.m. from Mountain City, Tennessee, on Sunday and was last seen around Rutherfordton, North Carolina, around 9 p.m.
Responding agencies offer differing information about when exactly the plane crashed.
Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said a single-engine Cessna 182 crashed in the mountains around 6:45 a.m. on Monday with three people on board, according to preliminary information.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the crash happened on Sunday.
The NTSB said an investigator is heading to the crash site and will begin the process of documenting the scene and examining the wreckage.
McDowell and Rutherford officials said they received a call about a missing plane around 6 a.m. and immediately went to search and rescue. Crews said tough terrain and fog made the search more difficult.
The public was asked to avoid the scene.
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