A small luxury plane burst into flames near a golf course in Truckee, Calif., around 1:20 p.m. Monday afternoon, killing everyone onboard, officials said.
The Bombardier CL 600 jet crashed while the pilot was attempting to land at Truckee-Tahoe Airport in Truckee, Calif., around 1:18 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said. Three people were on board.
The Truckee-Tahoe Airport said in a statement the aircraft crashed when it came into contact with forested terrain adjacent to the airport along Reynold Way.
The names of those on board have not been released.
“We haven’t positively identified anyone on that aircraft,” Shannan Moon, the Nevada County coroner, said at a Monday night press briefing. “We’re not releasing any of the potential names or any things that … we’ve been hearing some surmising on some questions as to who was on that aircraft. At this time, we haven’t confirmed any positive identifications so we’re not releasing any information and that is also to make sure that we absolutely care for the victims families who we have not notified because the victims haven’t been notified.
The aircraft triggered a small wildfire near Ponderosa Golf Course.
“There’s not much intact at the crash scene,” Moon said.
Firefighters contained flames immediately and officials said there is no threat to Truckee. Some residents living on Stewart Court and Reynold Way were evacuated, according to the Sierra Sun.
There were no people on the ground harmed or structures damaged.
“We’re very fortunate that it landed where it did and that no structures or people on the ground were harmed,” Deverie Acuff, a spokesperson with the Truckee Police Department said.
The origin of the plane is unknown. While the Tahoe Basin was impacted by wildfire smoke on Monday, an airport spokesperson said the hazy conditions didn’t restrict aircraft from landing and taking off at the airport.
The plane made radio contact with the tower before it crashed, but what was said hasn’t been shared.
The Truckee airport announced it will be closed until Tuesday. The Truckee Police Department said Reynold Way is closed.
Once investigators have verified the aircraft tail number, it will be released.
This model of aircraft can hold up to 14 passengers and two crew members, Acuff said.
The National Transportation Safety Board said the incident is under investigation.