Tulare County Sheriff's Deputy, Pilot Killed In Plane Crash

SPRINGVILLE, Calif. (CBS13/AP) - Officials say two people were killed when a single-engine plane crashed near Springville in Tulare County.

The Fresno Bee reports authorities say witnesses saw the aircraft on fire. But it's not clear whether the plane was ablaze in the air, or whether it crashed or landed and began burning.

Authorities say the plane crashed Wednesday afternoon near Eagle Feather Trading Post and Highway 190.

The Tulare County Sheriff's Department announced late on Wednesday that deputy Scott Ballantyne, 52, and sheriff's pilot James Chavez, 45 had died in the crash.

The California Highway Patrol says Highway 190 has been closed near Pleasant Oak Drive on the east and Eagle Feather Trading Post on the west. The closure is expected to last hours.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.