2 killed when small plane crashes after takeoff from Long Island airport

FILE - Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, July 20, 2024, in Grand Rapids, Mich. The Trump campaign has spent the last year-and-half viciously attacking Joe Biden. But they have also been preparing for the possibility that Biden might exit the race after last month's disastrous debate performance. On Sunday, they unleashed a bevy of attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris following Biden's stunning announcement that was dropping his bid. The response underscores the challenges ahead for Trump's team in a race that has now been thrown into chaos. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, FILE)

RONKONKOMA, N.Y. (AP) — A small plane crashed shortly after takeoff on New York’s Long Island, killing both people who were on board, authorities said.

The single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza A36 took off from MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma at about 6:15 p.m. Monday and crashed after the pilot tried to return to the runway, Suffolk County police said in a news release.

The pilot and his passenger were pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The two men were the only people on board the aircraft.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.