Ind. authorities: 1 dead in small plane crash

CONNERSVILLE, Ind. — State police say at least one person is dead following a small plane crash in rural eastern Indiana.

Sgt. Rod Russell says the Fayette County coroner reports that the plane's pilot was killed in Wednesday night's crash but that the severity of the impact has thus far prevented authorities from determining if any passengers were on board.

Russell says the plane crashed about 8:15 p.m. Wednesday near Connersville, about 55 miles east of Indianapolis. Officials reached the rural crash site about two miles from the Connersville Municipal Airport using all-terrain vehicles.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash.

State Police spokesman Nate Raney told the Palladium-Item of Richmond that area residents reported hearing a loud boom. Raney said officials believe the plane was headed to Mettel Field in Connersville.