Rockford plane crash: Small aircraft burned after impact shortly after takeoff, FAA says; 1 dead

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WLS) -- One person was killed when a small plane crashed and caught fire at the Rockford Airport Thursday afternoon.

The Federal Aviation Administration said a twin-engine Beechcraft Super King Air went off the runway shortly after take-off around 3:40 p.m. and burned after impact.

Emergency crews remained on the scene as of 5 p.m., but the fire had been extinguished.

The FAA said only one individual was on board. Winnebago County Coroner Bill Hintz said he has received notification of one death in the crash.

The cause of the crash will be investigated by the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and all updates, the FAA said.

Crews are now working to reopen the runway.