Three die in plane crash in central Wisconsin

WATERTOWN, Wisconsin (Reuters) -- A single-engine plane crashed into a central Wisconsin farm field, killing the pilot and a husband and wife who were passengers, authorities said.

The plane, a Piper Warrior, crashed within 10 minutes of takeoff from Watertown Municipal Airport Tuesday, said airport manager Jeff Baum.

The crash occurred about 40 miles (65 km) west of Milwaukee. All three victims were from the town of Oconomowoc, near Watertown.

"The plane came down intact" but burst into flames after the crash, said Jefferson County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Richard Wellner.

The Jefferson County coroner said the victims either died from the plane's impact or from carbon monoxide generated by the ensuing fire.

The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration were investigating the cause of the crash.

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