3 people killed after plane crashes into tree near Chilliwack Airport

Three people have died after a plane crashed into a tree in Chilliwack, B.C. Friday afternoon.

RCMP confirmed three people were onboard the plane and all three people have died.

Police said it appeared the plane was coming in for a landing at the airport.

The plane crashed behind the Chilliwack Motor Inn, which is near the Elements Casino and the airport.

Guests at the inn recall hearing a loud crash before running to the scene.

“I was screaming, ‘Is anybody in there?’ I asked the people, ‘Have you seen any movement?'” Dean Shepheard said.

The plane landed into thick blackberry bushes, which made it difficult for first responders to access the crash site.

“I grabbed a ladder and (those) blackberry (bushes) are nasty,” Shepheard said.

Staff at the Chilliwack Airport confirmed the plane crashed on private property.

Chilliwack RCMP, Fire and Rescue Services and paramedics have all rushed to the scene.

According to Transport Canada, the plane is a Piper model PA-34-200, and is owned by Langley-based SkyQuest Aviation, which runs a flight school out of Langley Regional Airport.

SkyQuest declined to comment on the situation on Friday.