Three confirmed dead in plane crash in eastern San Diego County

Three people are confirmed dead following a plane crash Saturday morning near Lakeside in eastern San Diego County, authorities said.

The plane crashed west of Highway 67 in the rugged Sycamore Canyon area about 10:30 a.m., according to a spokesman for the Heartland Fire and Rescue Department.

The plane had taken off from Montgomery Field in San Diego en route to the Phoenix area, authorities said. No other details about the crash were immediately available.

The crash is being investigated by the San Diego County Sheriff"s Department and the Federal Aviation Administration.

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-- Tony Perry in San Diego

Map shows approximate location of a plane crash in eastern San Diego County. Source: Google Maps