A small plane that took off in Indianapolis after the NCAA championship crashed in Central Illinois, killing all seven aboard the aircraft, authorities said.
The Cessna 414 crashed just after midnight on Tuesday outside of Bloomington, Ill., the FAA said.
The Chicago Tribune reported the flight was departing Indianapolis after the NCAA men's basketball championship games. The Tribune cited Scott Barrows, who said his son-in-law was the owner of the plane and among those killed.
Illinois State University in Normal said two members of the athletics department were killed. Aaron Leetch was deputy director of Athletics for external operations. Torrey Ward was associate head coach of the men's basketball team.
The FAA initially reported five people were on the flight, but police said in a later update the plane carried seven people.
Emergency crews located the plane around 3:15 a.m., said Sgt. Bill Tate with McLean County Sheriff's Office.
All seven occupants of the plane were confirmed dead, Tate said.
Peoria air traffic control lost contact with the plane just after midnight, Tate said. Airport officials searched the Central Illinois Regional Airport and found the plane had not landed.
Crews found the wreckage in a field outside of Bloomington.
The twin engine aircraft was registered to Make It Happen Aviation, LLC, of Towanda, Ill.
The FAA and the NTSB are investigating.
Names of the other victims have not been released by officials.
