US Pilatus light aircraft PC-12 crashed near Chamberlain City, South Dakota yesterday afternoon, killing nine and injuring three.

The plane crashed about 1.5 km from Chamberlain Airport on the afternoon of November 30, shortly after taking off to make the journey to the state of Idaho. There were 12 people aboard the plane in distress, of which three injured were hospitalized in critical condition.

The National Transportation Safety Commission (NTSB) has sent an investigation team to the scene. The cause of the fall has not been determined, but the city of Chamberlain and parts of South Dakota are experiencing bad weather, forcing authorities to issue a dangerous snowstorm warning.

"Law enforcement officials, quick-reaction personnel and health professionals should be praised for their courageous actions to save victims in dangerous weather," Maule Rossow, Brule County prosecutor, told reporters. The identity of the victim was not announced, but the passengers apparently seemed to live in the state of Idaho.

Pilatus PC-12 is a single-engine light aircraft that can carry up to 10 passengers and requires only one pilot.