At least one person was killed in the crash of a small plane near Deer Lake on Saturday.

The RCMP, Transportation Safety Board and Deer Lake airport issued news releases on the crash, although neither mentioned injuries nor indicated how many people may have been on board.

But the company that owned the plane, B.C.-based Kisik Geospatial and Aerial Survey, confirmed in a statement that the crash was fatal without releasing further details or identities.

“We are devastated and heartbroken by this loss,” reads the statement. “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to the families of the deceased and their loved ones. No further details about the incident are available at this time. We will not be releasing the names of anyone involved with this incident. That information will be provided by the proper authorities. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada and Kisik will support that investigation in any and every way possible.”

The crash occurred around 5:30 p.m. near the Trans-Canada Highway shortly after the Piper Navajo twin-engine plane took off.

Witnesses said they saw smoke coming from the plane before it crashed, and an even bigger plume following impact.

The highway was shut down in both directions for several hours as police and investigators worked to secure the scene.

The TSB said it is sending a team of investigators to the scene.

A Piper Navajo aircraft can carry between seven and 10 people.

It’s the second fatal crash involving a small plane in the region in less than a year.

On Aug. 10, 2024, one person died and three others were injured when a Cessna plane doing work for DFO went down near Corner Brook.