LOUISBURG, N.C. — The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a small plane crashed into a marshland in central North Carolina, killing three people.
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The crash happened just before 7:30 p.m. Friday near Louisburg, North Carolina, shortly after taking off from the Triangle North Executive Airport.
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office said one man and two women died in the crash and were all on board at the time.
Officials identified the male victim as Brian Sjostedt, who was piloting the plane at the time of the crash.
Authorities said Sjostedt was an officer with the Raleigh Police Department from 1998 to 2005 and served in the Marine Corps.
One of the woman killed in the crash was identified as Sjostedt's girlfriend, Jessica Kenny.
The second woman has not been identified.
Rescuers searched through muddy conditions, describing what appeared to be "a recovery effort."
North Carolina State Highway Patrol said the investigation has been turned over to the FAA.
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Officials said the plane was registered to a Raleigh company.