Deadly crash kills two as plane plunges into 'ball of flames' near suburban golf course

A small plane crashed shortly after takeoff near a Northern California airport Wednesday morning — killing two people on board and sparking a fire, authorities said.

The plane, a Van's RV-7A, crashed shortly after taking off from Petaluma Municipal Airport in Sonoma County , the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told Fox News Digital.

The incident took place at around 10:45 a.m. local time on Oct.

7.

SKYDIVERS WATCH PLANE VANISH FROM SIGHT, MAKE SPLIT-SECOND DECISION TO JUMP The aircraft went down in a field near Rooster Run Golf Course, where aerial footage showed scattered wreckage and scorched ground, according to FOX 2 San Francisco .

Both people on board were killed, Petaluma police told FOX 2.

The investigation is being led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), with the FAA assisting.

An NTSB spokesperson told Fox News Digital that a "post-impact fire" erupted after the crash.

MIDAIR SCARE FORCES PACKED PASSENGER JET INTO EMERGENCY LANDING, TRAVELERS HOSPITALIZED An investigator was expected to arrive at the scene Thursday to document the wreckage before the aircraft is recovered to a secure facility for further examination.

NTSB investigators will review flight tracking data, air traffic control communications, aircraft maintenance records , weather conditions, the pilot's flight experience and witness statements, the official added.

Petaluma Police Lt.

Zilverio Rivera told reporters the aircraft was "fully engulfed in fire" when emergency crews arrived, FOX 2 reported.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Gary McClintock, who was playing golf nearby at the time of the crash, told FOX 2 he witnessed what appeared to be engine trouble shortly after takeoff.

"All of a sudden, the engine kind of stops, sputtering a little bit," McClintock said, as FOX 2 noted.