3 killed when small plane crashes in backyard of Pa. home

WILLOW GROVE, Pa. (AP) — A small plane has crashed in the backyard of an eastern Pennsylvania home, killing three people aboard the aircraft.

The single-engine plane went down about 6:20 a.m. today in Willow Grove, shortly after taking off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. It wasn’t immediately known where it was headed.

Upper Moreland Police Chief Michael Murphy says the plane hit several trees before it finally came to rest. He said everyone aboard was killed, but would not provide further details.

The Federal Aviation Administration said three people died in the crash. No one on the ground was injured, and no homes or property were damaged.

Officials say the pilot reported a problem shortly after takeoff, but further details were not disclosed.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The town is about 30 miles north of Philadelphia.