Two dead after small plane crashes near Vermilion, Alta.

Two people are dead following a small plane crash near Vermilion, Alta., Saturday afternoon.

Vermilion RCMP say they were dispatched around 12:24 p.m. to a reported aircraft crash approximately 1.2 kilometres short of the local airport runway, north of the town.

Emergency crews located the wreckage and confirmed that both occupants of the aircraft were deceased at the scene.

RCMP identified the victims as a 46-year-old woman from Slave Lake, Alta., who was piloting the plane, and a 76-year-old man from Mannville, Alta., who was onboard as a passenger.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is now investigating the cause of the crash.

RCMP extended their condolences to the families and friends of the victims in a release.