3 dead, 3 hurt in small plane crash near Lansing airport

DEWITT TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - Authorities say three people have died and three others were injured after a single-engine plane crashed near Capital Region International Airport in mid-Michigan.

Airport spokesman Spencer Flynn says the pilot was approaching to land at the Lansing-area airport when "something went wrong" and the six-passenger plane crashed about 9 a.m. Thursday. 

Clinton County Sheriff Larry Jerue says the plane was carrying six people and was headed to the airport in DeWitt Township from Greenwood, Indianapolis, taking off around 8 a.m. He says the plane appeared to be a leased TBM 700 plane that was at its passenger capacity. In addition to the pilot, there was a co-pilot on board.

Karissa Weight with the Capital Region Airport Authority said the crash itself took place about 125 yards west of Airport Road.

Three people were killed and three people were left in critical condition but as of Thursday afternoon, one person has been upgraded to stable.

Clinton County Sheriff Larry Jerue said they could not confirm if the foggy, misty weather was a factor. He said that would be determined by the National Transportation Safety Board or the Federal Aviation Authority.

FOX 2 spoke with the co-owner of the plane out of Indiana, who says he typically only flies the plane for pleasure but let his friend take it out. One of the passengers from Greenwood may have chartered the plane for work, with his coworkers on board. 

But police have not yet released the names of those killed or hurt as they try to notify loved ones. 

Jerue said the investigation could take days, if not longer.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.