3 Killed When Plane Crashes in Foothills

At least three people were killed when a light plane crashed in the rugged Sierra Nevada foothills, sheriff's deputies said Monday.

The Piper Comanche went down Sunday night about eight miles south of Placerville near California 49. El Dorado County Sheriff's Lt. Kevin House said investigators were trying to confirm the number of victims, establish their identities and determine if stormy weather was a factor.

He also said there appeared to be a fire in the plane after the crash.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane would not be removed until National Transportation Safety Board officials completed an investigation.