Official: 3 people killed in northwest Nebraska plane crash

(AP) — Authorities say three people aboard a small plane died when it crashed near the city of Chadron in northwest Nebraska.

The crash occurred around 2:25 p.m. Wednesday, about 3 miles northwest of the city and a half-mile north of Chadron Municipal Airport.     

Chadron City Manager Greg Yanker says the plane didn’t catch fire after it plunged into a farm field.

Yanker says the pilot and two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene and have yet to be identified. He says it’s unclear whether the plane was lined up to land at the airport or had just taken off. It’s also unclear whether the plane was based at the airport.     

Federal investigators have been called in.