A small plane flying from an elite skiing and resort mecca in Idaho ran off the runway and crashed into a hangar Sunday night at the Santa Monica, Calif., airport, a U.S. official told NBC News.
There was no immediate information on the number of passengers aboard the plane, a twin-engine Cessna Citation that departed from Hailey, Idaho, or on their conditions, said Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration. A large plume of black smoke could be seen over the airport after the crash about 6:20 p.m. (9:20 p.m. ET).
The Santa Monica Fire Department urged people to avoid the area.
The Cessna Citation series, which seats five to nine people depending on its configuration, is a luxury business jet whose prices start at almost $3.3 million.
Hailey serves the town of Sun Valley and the Sun Valley alpine region of central Idaho, which is known for its world-class skiing. Many celebrities have getaway homes there, among them Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Hanks and Bruce Willis.
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Liza Torres of NBC News contributed to this report.