OWLS HEAD — A Cessna 172 single engine plane crashed in the woods at Knox County Regional Airport early this evening, killing three people onboard, according to Knox County Chief Deputy Tim Carroll.

While taking off from Runway 1331, the plane, headed north, struck a service truck crossing the runway, causing the plane to crash.

"The aircraft got a little air for a short time before crashing into the woods," said Carroll. Firefighters and emergency responders found the aircraft on fire at the end of the runway, at the edge of the woods and extinguished the blaze.

Carroll said the three passengers were found deceased inside the fueselage. The identities of the passengers and the aircraft remain under investigation, but Carroll said the plane was not a local one. He said the plane did not belong to Cape Air or Penobscot Air.

Airport sources said the plane may have lost its stabilizer after striking the truck, and that the plane continued to climb before losing control, attempting to turn, and then crashing.

Carroll said it is normal for vehicles to be on the runway.

"It is normal for trucks like that to be crossing, and given the frequency of vehicle traffic on the runway, those on the runway and those flying are given a radio frequency to communicate and notify when they are moving around," said Carroll. Whether the truck's driver failed to notify his movement across the runway Friday night, or the pilot's failure to heed the call or if he or she heard it, remains a large part of the investigation into the cause of the accident, according to Carroll.

"Who didn't know about who, that part is still in the process of being figured out," said Carroll.

Carroll said the National Transportation Safety Board, District Attorney and Medical Examiner's office have all been notified. He said the Fire Marshal's Office is on scene and a representative from the Federal Aviation Administration was en route.

Emergency responders set up a command post on Dublin Road at the east end of the airport.  Dublin Road remains closed to traffic. As of 6:30 p.m., Rockland firefighters were clearing the scene, and Knox County Sheriff deputies and airport personnel were combing the runway for evidence. Also assisting at the scene were Rockland and South Thomaston EMS units, and Owls Head and South Thomaston fire departments.

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 207-706-6655.

Editorial Director Lynda Clancy can be reached at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com or 207-706-6657.