PLANE CRASH UPDATE - Passengers not from area

(Photo by Justin McCormick)

The single-engine Piper 28 went down about 11 a.m. near Sheldon, about 50 miles southeast of Sioux Falls, S.D., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The crash site was about five miles from the Sheldon airport but no flight plan was filed so the plane's destination was unclear.

"So we're not sure where they were flying from or flying to," FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro said.

CammAir of Spencer and Spencer Avionics provide maintenance and repair services at the Northwest Iowa Regional Airport. Neither company expected a landing in the window of time associated with the O'Brien County crash, according to Gayle Brandt of Leading Edge Aviation. Leading Edge is the Spencer airport's contracted manager.

The three people on board the plane were pronounced dead at the scene but their names were being withheld while family members still were being notified, said O'Brien County Chief Deputy Allen Schuknecht. He said the victims were not from the area.

The plane, built in 1968, is owned by Jerome Goodger of Milton, Wis., Molinaro said. A person answering the telephone Tuesday at a number listed for Goodger said he was home but not available. A message left for him was not immediately returned.

(Photo by Justin McCormick)

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, S.D., said thunderstorms with heavy rain were moving through the area at the time of the crash. Schuknecht said it was "real dark" and there were gusty winds.

Deputies found the plane partially on its top at the edge of a gravel road, Schuknecht said.

"It just flew into an embankment," he said. "It looked like it might have been able to land if it hadn't hit that road."

The plane suffered major structural damage but appeared largely intact, Schuknecht said. There was no fire.

Schuknecht said witnesses had seen the plane in the area but none reported seeing it crash.

"One witness said it looked like it was going to land in the field, so they went to the area and discovered it," Schuknecht said. "We knew about it right away."

Molinaro said FAA investigators were en route to the scene to collect evidence Tuesday afternoon. He said the evidence would be turned over to the National Transportation Safety Board for further investigation.

Staff Writer Russ Mitchell contributed to this report.