Four killed in plane crash in Houston

Four people have been killed in the US after a small plane crashed shortly after takeoff from a private Houston airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the single- engine Piper PA-32 had four people on board when it crashed near West Houston Airport about 4 PM yesterday.

The plane went down in a wooded lot in a residential area near the airport. It burst into flames after it plunged to the ground and was completely destroyed.

A witness at the crash site said there were several small explosions.

The victims have not been identified and the cause of the crash is under investigation.