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Deadly Crash Reported At Santa Monica Airport After Cessna Goes Off Runway

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA.com) — A twin-engine Cessna Citation went off the runway and crashed at Santa Monica Airport Sunday evening.

The incident occurred at 6:20 p.m. when the plane apparently struck a hangar, according to Ian Gregor, public affairs manager for the FAA.

At a Sunday evening news conference, officials said there were no survivors on the plane. They did not say how many people may have been on the eight-seat aircraft, but called the crash "unsurvivable."

The Santa Monica Fire Department said the hangar partially collapsed on the plane and they were unable to access the wreckage.

The plane originated from Hailey, Idaho. (Hailey is a small community of less than 8,000 residents but its proximity to mountains has made it a popular spot for celebrities over the years including Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger.)

An airport employee told KCAL9's Melanie Woodrow that when the plane landed it popped a tire.

Witnesses said smoke could be seen for miles.

CBS2's Cristy Fajardo reported that only one flight plan matched the description of the plane that left Hailey earlier Sunday.

The plane is reportedly owned by a 63-year-old Malibu man.

The owner of the plane is a certified pilot and a member of the Idaho Conservation Board.

Fajardo said it was unclear if the registered owner was also piloting the plane.

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The crash site is cleared and cleaned up by fire crews. (credit: Jack Bonner/UGC)
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