US: dead after small plane crashes building near Wichita airport

Four people were killed on Thursday when a small plane lost power after takeoff and crashed into a building at an airport in Kansas.

The plane crashed at Wichita's Mid-Continent airport, authorities said. Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Tony Molinaro said a twin-engine Beechcraft King Air reported losing engine power just after takeoff.

The plane crashed into a building on airport property while attempting to return to the runway, he said. The four dead were found inside the building. It is unclear what happened to the pilot of the aircraft.

Wichita Fire Chief Ronald Blackwell said at least four other people were taken to a hospital and five more are unaccounted for after the incident. "We may find more but right now we don't know," Blackwell said.

A portion of the building's eastern facade reportedly collapsed and fire trucks were positioned near the crash and were pouring water on the wreckage. Wichita Mid-Continent airport is used by private aircraft and served by several airlines and their regional affiliates, including American, Southwest, Delta, United and Allegiant.

Image: Firefighters at the crash site.