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6 die when plane that departed from Kissimmee crashes in Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Six people died Sunday morning when a plane that departed from Kissimmee crashed near an Alabama airport, officials said.

The plane, which departed from Kissimmee Gateway Airport, crashed shortly before 11:30 a.m. Central time in the Van de Graaff Arboretum & Historic Bridge Park across from the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport, the Northport Police Department said.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane was a Piper PA-31.

Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon said the plane crashed a quarter to a half-mile short of the runway.

The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office is investigating the scene.

The National Transportation Safety Board will also investigate the crash.