TRILLA, Ill. (AP) — A devastating small-plane crash in rural central Illinois claimed the lives of four people on Friday afternoon, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit communities of Coles County.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the single-engine Cessna 180 struck power lines and crashed just before 2 p.m. near the village of Trilla, about 120 miles northeast of St. Louis.

The aircraft went down in a field adjacent to a county road, erupting into flames upon impact.

Authorities confirmed that all four individuals aboard the plane were killed. Their identities have not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are conducting a joint investigation into the cause of the crash.

Preliminary reports indicate the aircraft made contact with overhead power lines before losing control, though the exact sequence of events remains under review.

Emergency responders from multiple agencies arrived on scene shortly after the crash was reported, but there were no survivors.

Images from the site show the plane fully engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky as fire crews battled the blaze.

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy for our community,” said a Coles County official, who asked not to be named. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims.”

The aircraft was registered to a private owner, and it’s unclear at this time where the plane had departed from or what its intended destination was.

As investigators work to piece together what led to the deadly crash, the community mourns the loss of four lives abruptly cut short.

This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.