Sumter Co. plane crash kills three

Three people were killed late Saturday night when their private Beechcraft plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Southerfield Airport in Americus, according to local reports.

A witness said the plane nosed over and crashed, killing the three occupants, who were reported thrown from the cabin. The pilot and passengers were reportedly Alabama residents headed back after a local airshow.

Federal Aviation Administration officials opened an investigation at the crash scene on Sunday.