A tragic incident occurred near a Los Angeles area airport on Saturday morning, resulting in the death of all six individuals aboard a small corporate jet.

The aircraft, identified as a Cessna C550 business jet, was en route from Las Vegas when it crashed and caught fire near French Valley Airport, approximately 85 miles (136.79 km) south of Los Angeles.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident in a statement, revealing that the crash took place at around 4:15 a.m. (0815 GMT).

Unfortunately, details regarding the passengers’ identities have not yet been released. Aerial footage captured by local media depicted charred debris resembling a small aircraft scattered across a blackened section of a field adjacent to the French Valley Airport.

According to radar data obtained from FlightAware, only one business jet was recorded traveling from Las Vegas to French Valley during that timeframe.

The aircraft appeared to circle near the field before descending.

Aircraft Emergency:rpt@4:16 a.m. Auld Road X Briggs Road in French Valley. Cessna aircraft down in a field, fully involved in fire. The fire burned approximately one acre of vegetation, was contained at 5:35 a.m. and the incident has been turned over to RSO and the FAA. Please… pic.twitter.com/szG5HLH4n7

— CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) July 8, 2023

Upon responding to the crash, officials from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office discovered the wreckage fully engulfed in flames. Tragically, all six occupants on board were pronounced dead at the scene.

The FAA has confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will conduct an investigation into the crash, aiming to determine the cause of the incident.

This devastating event serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with air travel and the importance of comprehensive investigations to prevent similar accidents in the future.

The NTSB’s thorough examination of the crash will shed light on the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, providing valuable insights for aviation safety measures.