Two men from Winkler, Man., are dead after a small plane crashed in southern Manitoba, RCMP say.

"As a community, we are heartbroken by the tragedy and we will continue to support these families and upholding them in prayer," Winkler Mayor Martin Harder said.

RCMP were called at 8:50 p.m. CT after reports of an overdue aircraft that took off from St. Andrews Airport just after 6:30 p.m. CT and was heading for Winkler.

RCMP from Carman and Headingley searched for a Cessna 185 using snowmobiles amid weather conditions that made for poor visibility.

At about 1:05 a.m. CT on Friday, RCMP investigators and Canadian Armed Forces search-and-rescue crews found the wreckage in a field off Highway 305 near Brunkild, Man., about 45 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg.

The pilot and a passenger, aged 60 and 41, were found dead.

Two men are confirmed to have died in a plane crash southwest of Winnipeg. RCMP say the small plane left St. Andrews Airport just after 6:30 last night, destined for Winkler. 1:16

"Our concern obviously right now is for the families," Winkler Coun. Henry Siemens said. "Our hearts ache for them and it's a very difficult time."

The single-engine Cessna aircraft was built in the 1980s and is registered to Arty's Air Service Ltd. based in Winkler, about 100 km southwest of Winnipeg. The family owned business provides "aerial application [services], chemical and seed retail as well as agronomy services," according to its website.

An employee at Arty's Air Service refused to comment.

Bright lights in sky

"It's heartbreaking," said Alana Schlichting.

Alana Schlichting was driving home early Friday morning when she saw what looked like flares and light falling from the sky off of Highway 305 near Brunkild. (Alana Schlichting)

She pulled over on Highway 305 on her drive home Friday just after 1 a.m. after seeing orange flashes of light just over the horizon.

"I honestly thought I was seeing things," she said. "It was really confusing … it looked like bright lights falling from the sky."

Wind and blowing snow obscured the view, but over the course of an hour, Schlichting counted 13 orange flare-like lights off in the distance.

Blowing snow and strong winds would've made for poor visibility Thursday night in Brunkild and other parts of southwestern Manitoba, CBC meteorologist John Sauder said. (John Sauder)

CBC Manitoba meteorologist John Sauder said visibility conditions southwest of Winnipeg were already deteriorating by the time the plane would've departed from St. Andrews Airport Thursday at about 6:30 p.m.

"It was so windy out here I almost couldn't drive home. It was horrible conditions last night," said Schlichting.

Investigation continues

Tim Reimer, deputy fire chief for the city of Morden, said Manitoba's Office of the Fire Commissioner dispatched Morden emergency crews to the area of Sanford, Man., just before midnight Thursday.

RCMP investigators remained at the scene for hours Friday morning, and used snowmobiles to reach the plane in the middle of a field. (Trevor Brine/CBC)

By the time they arrived at the Sanford fire department, about 30 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg, they were told RCMP had completed the investigation.

"[RCMP] had been conducting the search prior to our arrival. The search had been completed by the time we got there," Reimer added.

The city of about 12,500 residents needs to come together and be there for families of the victims, Winkler Coun. Michael Grenier said.

"The community needs to rally around the families there and just support them during these tough times," Grenier said.

The Transportation Safety Board and RCMP continue to investigate.

Eric Vermette, a TSB investigator, said it's too early to speculate on the cause of the crash.

He said it's not clear if weather was a factor or whether the passengers tried to call for help.