At least three dead as plane crashes on US highway

At least three people have been killed in the US after a small plane heading for Georgia crashed on one of the New York City area’s busiest highways.

State Police Lieutenant Stephen Jones said that three people died in the crash on Interstate 287 in Harding, New Jersey. He says the death toll could be as high as five.

It is unclear whether any deaths were among people on the ground.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the Socata TBM-700 single-engine turboprop had taken off from nearby Teterboro Airport and was headed for DeKalb Peachtree Airport near Atlanta when it disappeared from radar.

Witnesses reported the plane spiralling out of control, losing pieces, hitting the ground and exploding.

Helicopter footage from News 12 New Jersey showed charred wreckage, and state police said the highway was closed in both directions.