Two people killed in light plane crash outside Darwin

Two people have been killed when their light plane tore apart and crashed to the ground on the outskirts of Darwin.

The Cessna 210 aircraft had been travelling from Darwin Airport when it crashed to the ground near Howard Springs, 25 kilometres southeast of Darwin, about 1.35pm today.

The aircraft’s planned destination remains unknown.

Emergency services attended the scene of the crash, finding two persons inside the fuselage of the six-seater aircraft.

“The air craft is in at least two distinct parts,” Superintendent Anthony Deutrom said.

Police have set up two crime scenes, with wreckage from the plane spread across both sides of Gunn Point Road, and extending “about 200 metres”.

At least one component of the plane was located on the southern end, with the main fuselage found on the northern side.

The two people, who have not been identified, were the only occupants of the plane, which police confirmed is owned by a local company.

At the time, there had been heavy rain and investigators will look into whether that contributed to cause of the crash.

A team from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau will fly from Canberra and are expected to arrive in Darwin about midday to investigate.

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner, with officers remaining at the scene overnight.