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Small Plane Crashes In Fort Lauderdale Killing 4

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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – The Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed a small twin-engine plane went down in a wooded area in Fort Lauderdale killing four.

According to the FAA, a Piper PA-31 aircraft was inbound to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport on Sunday.

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A pilot who works at the airport told CBS4 the plane lost power and crashed just short of the runway, near the 2400 block of NW 62nd Street, at around 4:30 p.m.

The plane landed in a wooded area and Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said the debris was somewhat minimal.

"The main cockpit of the vessel is still there, as well as the other adjacent wings and so forth, they are within a remote area," said Fort Lauderdale Fire Division Chief Chantal Botting.

However, the crash lit a fire in the wooded area making it difficult for work crews to get to the plane.

"Our crews made an aggressive attack on the fire, extinguishing the fire within minutes.  Unfortunately, it was discovered there were four souls on board and unfortunately all four perished," said Botting.

One man who witnessed the crash posted the aftermath on his Instagram account.

The fire did not spread very far, but the eastbound lanes of the NW 62nd are still closed.

The investigation is in the hands of the NTSB.

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