Small plane crashes in Carlsbad, CA

[Brent]

CNN reporting 4 people dead.

Small plane crashes at California airport

Tuesday, January 24, 2006; Posted: 11:08 a.m. EST (16:08 GMT)

CARLSBAD, California (AP) -- A small plane skidded off an airport runway and crashed Tuesday morning, bursting into flames, officials said.

There was no immediate word on casualties, said Bill Polick, spokesman for the San Diego County Department of Public Works. The plane that crashed at McClellan-Palomar Airport was a small private plane or business jet, he said.

The plane skidded off the west end of the runway around 6:40 a.m., Polick said. Television footage showed flames billowing from the aircraft, which appeared to have hit a building.

Crews from the airport and Carlsbad fire departments were on scene, he said.

The airport 30 miles north of San Diego serves private planes, business jets and two commuter airlines, America West Express and United Express, both of which operate turboprops there, Polick said.