Small plane headed for O.C. crashes, killing 3

MESA, Ariz .– A small plane has crashed into an orchard less than a mile from Mesa’s Falcon Field, killing all three people on board.

Television images showed only burnt wreckage, with just a small section of the aircraft’s tail remaining and firefighters hosing down the wreckage.

The FAA says the single-engine Lancair took off from Falcon Field at 7:09 a.m. this morning, headed for John Wayne Airport Air traffic controllers saw smoke coming from the plane after it took off and cleared the pilot to turn around and return to the field.

The plane made a left turn in an attempt to return but crashed into an orange grove. All three people on board were confirmed dead.

The FAA says the plane was registered to a corporation in Scottsdale.