A Tuesday morning plane crash claimed the life of a pilot and one of two passengers shortly after taking off from the Truckee Airport, officials said.

According to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, the pilot and owner of the single-engine plane has been identified as Kenneth Whittall-Scherfee, 60, of Carmichael. Two passengers were transported to Renown Hospital in Reno, with one dying from injuries sustained in the crash. Another passenger was reported to be in critical condition. Officials have not released the identities of the two passengers.

The single engine piston left Truckee Airport around 7:30 a.m. headed east, and immediately experienced engine problems, officials said. The plane crashed one mile southeast from the airport.

Emergency dispatchers were contacted around 7:40 a.m. and units were on scene within minutes.

The plane was reportedly seen flattening out before it went down in an attempt to land, then crashed in the brush. Following the crash the plane was intact but severely damaged.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board in coordination with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.

Hannah Jones is a reporter with the Sierra Sun in Truckee.

UPDATE: 11:15 a.m., Tuesday: Placer County Sheriff officials have reported that a second passenger has died in this morning’s plane crash near the Truckee Airport.

The single engine piston left Truckee Airport around 7:30 a.m. headed east, and immediately experienced engine problems. The plane crashed one mile southeast from the airport.

Emergency dispatchers were contacted around 7:40 a.m. and units were on scene within minutes.

The plane was seen flattening out before it went down in an attempt to land, then crashed in the brush. Following the crash the plane was in tact but severely damaged.

Three male passengers were found in the plane, two of which have been confirmed dead due to the crash.

The incident is currently under investigation.

Update: Nick Brown of the Truckee Fire Protection District

UPDATE: 9:35 a.m.

Three passengers were involved in the plane crash this morning the west side of Highway 267 in Martis Valley. One has died and two are in critical condition, according to Placer County Sherrif deputies and Truckee fire officials. The plane took off at 7:33 a.m. and reported engine problems shortly after. All passengers were male.

Check back for more updates.

Original post

Via Truckee Police Department: 8:10 a.m.— “Expect delays if you are driving on Hwy 267 South. Emergency vehicles are responding to what appears to be a plane crash.”

Check back for more updates.

A plane crash was reported near Highway 267 this morning. @SierraSunNews is in contact with @PlacerSheriff and will bring more updates soon.

— Hannah Jones (@indi_hannajones) July 17, 2018

Traffic Alert:

Expect a slow down on SR-267 this morning between the Town of Truckee and Northstar due to a plane that crashed this morning.

Lots of emergency personnel on scene. Avoid the area if possible.

— CHP-Truckee (@CHP_Truckee) July 17, 2018