2 dead in private plane crash at Tucson International airport

Authorities say two people died after a small plane crashed at Tucson International Airport on Monday.

The airport says it won't release the identities of the victims until all family members are notified.

Federal Aviation Administration officials say the twin-engine Beechcraft BE300 crashed into a blast fence  into a parking garage east of the terminal Monday afternoon.

The airport said that commercial flights were not affected but a parking garage had been closed.

Airport public safety chief John Ivanoff said the plane skidded for "some distance" before crashing and catching fire.  The fire sent large, black plumes of smoke into the sky. 

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board were en route from Phoenix to investigate. 

 

 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.